Conospermum ericifolium explained

Conospermum ericifolium is a flowering plant of the family Proteaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a slender, erect shrub with linear leaves, panicles of cream-coloured to white flowers and hairy, golden nuts.

Description

Conospermum ericifolium is a slender, erect shrub that typically grows to a height of, sometimes to and has long, thin branches. The flowers are arranged in panicles of head-like spikes or in dense spikes, on hairy peduncles long. The bracteoles are long and wide. The perianth is cream-coloured to white forming a tube long. The upper lip is sac-like, long and wide, the lower lip joined for with lobes long and wide. Flowering in spring, and the fruit is a nut long with golden hairs.[1] [2]

Taxonomy

Conospermum ericifolium was first formally described in 1808 by James Edward Smith in Abraham Rees's Cyclopædia from specimens collected by John White.[3] [4] The specific epithet (ericifolium) refers to the similarity of the leaves to plants in the genus Erica .[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Conospermum grows in heath and shrubby woodland from Toukley to Nowra and Jervis Bay, on the coast around Sydney.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Conospermum ericifolium . Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney . 2 August 2024.
  2. Web site: Bennett . Eleanor M. . Conospermum ericifolium . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 2 August 2024.
  3. Web site: Conospermum ericifolium . Australian Plant Name Index . 2 August 2024.
  4. Book: Smith . James Edward . Rees . Abraham . The Cyclopaedia; or, Universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature . 1808 . Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown . London . 2 August 2024.
  5. Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, page 93