Dysphania melanocarpa explained

Dysphania melanocarpa, commonly known as black crumbweed, is an annual herb that grows in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia.

Description

It grows as a prostrate aromatic annual, with hairy stems that branch from its base. Leaves are oval in shape, about fifteen millimetres long. Flowers occur in dense clusters located in the axils.[1]

Taxonomy

It was first published in 1922 by John McConnell Black, as a variety of C. carinatum, and promoted to species rank by him in 1934. Two forms have been published, although these are only recognised in South Australia and Western Australia; they are C. melanocarpum f. melanocarpum and C. melanocarpum f. leucocarpum. In 2008, Sergei L. Mosyakin & Steven E. Clemants grouped this taxon in genus Dysphania.[2]

Distribution and habitat

It occurs in arid and semi-arid areas of Australia, usually in well-drained soils.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wilson, Paul G. . 1984 . Chenopodiaceae . Flora of Australia, Volume 4: Phytolaccaceae to Chenopodiaceae . Canberra . Australian Government Publishing Service.
  2. Book: Sergei L. Mosyakin . Steven E. Clemants . Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas . 8 September 2016 . 1 . 2 . 2008 . Botanical Research Institute of Texas . 425–31 . Further Transfers of glandular-pubescent species from Chenopodium subg. Ambrosia to Dysphania (Chenopodiaceae) . Dysphania pusilla (Hook, f.) Mosyakin & Clemants, comb. nov. Basionym: Chenopodium pusillum Hook, f., Handh New Zealand Fl. 1:231. 1864..