Andersonia redolens explained

Andersonia redolens is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is an open shrub with low-lying stems, twisted, narrowly egg-shaped to almost linear leaves and white or cream-coloured, tube-shaped flowers.

Description

Andersonia redolens is an open shrub with low-lying stems, that typically grows up to high and wide. The leaves are spreading, twisted, narrowly egg-shaped to almost linear, the longest leaves long and wide. The flowers are arranged in leaf axils in pendent groups of three to ten, with glabrous, leaf-like appendages long. The sepals are narrowly egg-shaped, long and pale pink or creamy-white. The petals are white or cream-coloured and form a cylindrical or very narrowly urn-shaped tube long with erect lobes long with soft hairs that form a tuft at the end of the lobes. The stamens are long, the anthers white or violet, long. Flowering occurs in September and October.[1]

Taxonomy

Andersonia redolens was first formally described in 2007 by Kristina L. Lemson in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected in Mount Frankland National Park in 1994.[2] The specific epithet (redolens) means 'scented', and refers to the fragrance of the flowers.

Distribution and habitat

This species of Andersonia grows on the edges of swamps and in sand in open woodland, and is only known from type location north of Walpole and one other nearby site, in the Warren bioregion of southern Western Australia.

Conservation status

Andersonia redolens is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Lemson . Kristina L. . New species of Andersonia (Ericaceae) of conservation concern. . Nuytsia . 2007 . 17 . 205–207 . 30 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Andersonia redolens . APNI . 30 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. 30 November 2024.