Billardiera drummondii explained

Billardiera drummondii is a species of flowering plant in the family Pittosporaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a slender climber that has linear leaves and tiny nodding, blue or mauve flowers arranged in groups of up to three.

Description

Billardiera drummondii is a slender climber or twiner that has silky-hairy new shoots, the first leaves with petioles as long as the leaf blade. The adult leaves are linear, long and wide on a petiole long. The edges of the leaves are wavy, and both surfaces are silky-hairy at first, later glabrous. The tiny, nodding flowers are arranged in corymbs of up to three on a rachis up to long, each flower on a pedicel long. The sepals are narrowly triangular, densely hairy and long, the petals blue or mauve, long and about wide. Flowering mainly occurs in January and the mature fruit is a dark green or purple berry less than long, containing reddish-brown seeds.[1]

Taxonomy

This climber was first formally described in 1854 by Charles Morren who gave it the name Sollya drummondii in La Belgique Horticole.[2] [3] In 2004, Lindy Cayzer and Michael Crisp transferred the species to Ballardiera as B. drummondii in Australian Systematic Botany. The specific epithet (drummondii) honours James Drummond.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Billardiera drummondii grows in eucalypt woodland in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Billardiera drummondii is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Billardiera drummondii . Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra . 31 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Sollya drummondii. APNI. 31 May 2023.
  3. Book: Morren . Charles F.A. . La Belgique Horticole . 4 . 1854 . Liege . 196–197 . 31 May 2023.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 187 . 3rd.