Conospermum ephedroides explained

Conospermum ephedroides is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a tufted shrub with many stems, a few cylindrical leaves at the base of the plant, and sessile spikes of glabrous white, pale pink or blue, tube-shaped flowers and reddish-brown to orange nuts.

Description

Conospermum ephedroides is a tufted shrub that typically grows up to tall and has many stems. There are a few cylindrical leaves long and wide at the base of the plant. The flowers are arranged in sessile spikes along leafless branches with egg-shaped, bluish-green bracteoles long and wide. The perianth is glabrous, white, pale pink or blue, forming a tube long. The upper lip is egg-shaped, long and wide, the lower lip joined for with lobes long. Flowering occurs from August to October, and the fruit is a reddish-brown to orange nut long and wide.[1]

Taxonomy

Conospermum ephedroides was first formally described in 1855 by Carl Meissner in Hooker's Journal of Botany and Kew Garden Miscellany, from an unpublished description by Richard Kippist.[2] [3] The specific epithet (ephedroides) means Ephedra-like'.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Conospermum grows in sand, lateritic loam and gravel between Wongan Hills and Newdegate in the Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[1]

Conservation status

This species of Conospermum is listed 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 ephedroides . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 29 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Conospermum ephedroides. APNI. 29 July 2024.
  3. Kippist . Richard . Hooker . William Jackson . New Australian Proteaceae . Hooker's Journal of Botany and Kew Garden Miscellany . 1855 . 7 . 70 . 29 July 2024.
  4. Book: George . Alex . Sharr . Francis . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2021 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 192 . 4th.