Guichenotia seorsiflora explained

Guichenotia seorsiflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub with linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and white flowers arranged singly in upper leaf axils.

Description

Guichenotia seorsiflora is a spreading, multistemmed shrub that typically grows to high and wide, its new growth covered with white, star-shaped hairs. Its leaves are linear to narrowly egg-shaped, long and wide on a petiole long with linear to narrowly egg-shaped stipules two-thirds as long as the leaves, at the base. The edges of the leaves are rolled under, and the upper surface is covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged singly in upper leaf axils with a bract long at the base, the pedicel long, with a bracteoles long at the base, on a peduncle long. The petal-like sepals are pink in the bud stage, later white, joined at the base and covered with white, star-shaped hairs. There are tiny, dark red petals but no staminodes. Flowering occurs from July to September.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Guichenotia seorsiflora was first formally described in 2003 by Carolyn F. Wilkins and the description was published in Australian Systematic Botany.[2] The specific epithet (seorsiflora) means "separate-flowered", referring to the flowers arranged singly.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species of guichenotia usually grows on breakaways in heath and open woodland in scattered locations near Youndegin, Corrigin and Kellerberrin in the Avon Wheatbelt bioregion in the south-west of Western Australia.[1]

Conservation status

Guichenotia seorsiflora is listed as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Blake . Trevor . Lantern Bushes of Australia;Thomasias & Allied Genera . 2021 . APS Keilor Plains Inc . Victoria . 9780646839301 . 240–241.
  2. Web site: Guichenotia seorsiflora. APNI. 1 June 2023.
  3. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 305 . 3rd.
  4. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 1 June 2023.