Brachyloma delbi explained

Brachyloma delbi is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, open shrub with linear leaves and pink to red, tube-shaped flowers.

Description

Brachyloma delbi is an erect, open shrub that usually grows to a height of and has sparsely hairy branchlets. The leaves are linear, long, and wide on a petiole long, with the edges rolled under and a small hard point on the tip. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils on a peduncle long with 2 sessile bracts long at the base. The sepals are egg-shaped, long and wide. The petals are joined to form an urn-shaped tube long with broadly triangular lobes about long. Flowering occurs from April to May and the fruit is a spherical drupe in diameter.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Brachyloma delbi was first formally described in 2005 by Raymond Cranfield in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected near Kulin in 1995.[2] The specific epithet (delbi) is a Noongar word meaning "leaf", referring to the characteristic leaves of this species.

Distribution

This species of shrub grows in open woodland and is only known from the type location in the Mallee bioregion of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Brachyloma delbi is listed as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Cranfield . Raymond J. . Two new species of Brachyloma (Epacridaceae) from the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. . Nuytsia . 2005 . 15 . 3 . 333–334 . 19 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Brachyloma delbi . Australian Plant Name Index . 12 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 19 September 2023.