Guichenotia astropletha explained

Guichenotia astropletha is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a dwarf, spreading shrub with hairy new growth, linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves, and pink flowers.

Description

Guichenotia astropletha is a dwarf, spreading shrub that typically grows to high and wide, its new growth covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are linear to narrowly egg-shaped, long and wide on a petiole about long with stipules long at the base. The edges of the leaves are rolled under, and both surfaces of the leaves are densely covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The flowers are borne in groups of 2 to 5 on a peduncle long, each flower on a pedicel long, with egg-shaped bracts and bracteoles long at the base. There are five pink, petal-like sepals long and deep red petals long but no staminodes. Flowering occurs from August to October and the fruit is a capsule long.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Guichenotia astropletha was first formally described in 2003 by Carolyn F. Wilkins in Australian Systematic Botany from specimens collected near the Marchagee Track in 1995.[2] The specific epithet (astropletha) means "a starry cloud", referring to the white, star-shaped hairs on the ovary.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species of guichenotia grows as an understorey plant in a variety of habitats from heath to woodland between Merredin and Three Springs in the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[1]

Conservation status

Guichenotia astropletha is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Blake . Trevor L. . Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide . 2021 . Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group . Victoria . 9780646839301 . 220–221.
  2. Web site: Guichenotia astropletha. APNI. 23 May 2023.
  3. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 139 . 3rd.