Conospermum distichum explained

Conospermum distichum is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with ascending, thread-like leaves, and spikes of woolly white, tube-shaped flowers with blue bracteoles.

Description

Conospermum distichum is a shrub that typically grows to a height of up to . It has scattered, ascending, glabrous, thread-like leaves long and wide at the base of the plant. The flowers are arranged in spikes in upper leaf axils on a peduncle long. The bracteoles are blue, egg-shaped, long, wide, and hairy at the sides and base. The perianth is white, forming a tube long. The upper lip is blue, egg-shaped, long and wide, the lower lip joined for long with lobes long. Flowering occurs from August to November, and the fruit is a nut long and wide and orange-brown, with velvety hairs.[1]

Taxonomy

Conospermum densiflorum was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.[2] [3] The specific epithet (distichum) means 'in two rows', referring to the leaves.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Conospermum grows in sandy soil on dunes, granite outcrops and roadsides, in near-coastal areas between Ravensthorpe and Mount Ragged in Cape Arid National Park in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of southern Western Australia.

Conservation status

Conospermum distichum is list as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bennett . Edith M. . Conospermum distichum . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 23 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Conospermum distichum. APNI. 23 July 2024.
  3. Brown . Robert . On the Proteaceae of Jussieu. . Transactions of the Linnean Society of London . 1810 . 10 . 1 . 155 . 23 July 2024.
  4. Book: George . Alex . Sharr . Francis . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2021 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 185 . 4th.