Andersonia parvifolia explained

Andersonia parvifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a slender, erect shrub with pointed, egg-shaped leaves pressed against the stem and pink or pinkish-blue or pinkish-purple flowers.

Description

Andersonia parvifolia is a slender, erect shrub that typically grows to a height . Its leaves are pointed egg-shaped, mostly long, wide and pressed against the stem with a rigid tip on the end. The flowers are arranged in groups of four to ten with leaf-like bracts long and similar bracteoles. The sepals are lance-shaped, mostly long and hairy. The petals are pink or pinkish-blue or pinkish-purple, forming a tube with lobes about half as long as the petal tube and bearded in the lower half. The stamens are about the same length as the petal tube, the anthers about long but half as long as the filaments.[1]

Taxonomy

Andersonia parvifolia was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae from specimens he collected in 1802.[2] [3] The specific epithet (parvifolia) means 'small-flowered'.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Andersonia grows in a range of soil types in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, and Warren bioregions of southern Western Australia.

Conservation status

Andersonia parvifolia is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Notes and References

  1. Watson . Leslie . A taxonomic revision of the genus Andersonia R.Br. (Epacridaceae). . Kew Bulletin . 1962 . 16 . 1 . 112–114 . 25 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Andersonia parvifolia . APNI . 25 November 2024.
  3. Book: Brown . Robert . Prodromus Florae Novae Holliandiae . 1810 . London . 554 . 25 November 2022.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 271 . 3rd.