Androcalva incilis explained

Androcalva incilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a prostrate shrub with dark green, narrowly wedge-shaped to narrowly oblong leaves, and crowded heads of 8 to 12 deep pink flowers.

Description

Androcalva incilis is a prostrate shrub that typically grows to high and wide, and forms suckers. Its new growth is covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are narrowly wedge-shaped to narrowly oblong, long and wide on a petiole long with sometimes divided stipules long at the base. The leaves are dark green with irregular serrations on the edges, both surfaces covered with white, star-shaped hairs, densely so on the lower surface. The flowers are arranged in crowded heads of 8 to 12 on a peduncle long, each flower on a pedicel long, with narrowly egg-shaped bracts long at the base. The flowers are wide with 5 deep pink petal-like sepals and 5 petals, the ligule almost as long as the sepals with wings that partly envelop the stamens. There is usually a single staminode between each pair of stamens. Flowering occurs from July to October.[1]

Taxonomy

Androcalva incilis was first formally described in 2011 by Carolyn Wilkins in Australian Systematic Botany from specimens collected from near Tarin Rock in 2005.[2] The specific epithet (incilis) means "cut-into", referring to the edges of the leaves.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species mainly grows in heath and woodland between Tarin Rock, Dragon Rocks and Kukerin in the Avon Wheatbelt and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

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

Notes and References

  1. Book: Blake . Trevor L. . Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide . 2021 . Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group . Victoria . 9780646839301 . 112–113.
  2. Web site: Androcalva incilis. APNI. 16 April 2023.
  3. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 223 . 3rd.