Lechenaultia juncea explained

Lechenaultia juncea, commonly known as reed-like leschenaultia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, perennial herb or shrub with crowded, fleshy leaves, and pale blue flowers.

Description

Lechenaultia juncea is an erect, perennial herb or shrub that typically grows to a height of up to about, and is sparsely branched. Its leaves are fleshy, crowded on the lower stems, sparsely arranged on the flowering stems, long. The flowers are arranged in loose groups, the sepals long, the petals pale blue, long with long, soft hairs inside the petal tube. The wings on the lower lobes are wide and those on the upper petal lobes, if present, are wide. Flowering occurs from November to December.[1]

Taxonomy

Lechenaultia juncea was first formally described in 1905 by Ernst Georg Pritzel in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie from specimens collected near Watheroo.[2] [3] The specific epithet (juncea) means "rush-like".[4]

Distribution and habitat

Reed-like leschenaultia grows in heath in gravel or sandy soils between Three Springs and Gunyidi in the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.[1]

Conservation status

This leschenaultia is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morrison . David A. . Lechenaultia juncea . Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra . 12 February 2022.
  2. Web site: Lechenaultia juncea. APNI. 13 February 2022.
  3. Pritzel . Ernst G. . Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse . Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie . 1904 . 35 . 4 . 553 . 13 February 2022.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 229 . 3rd.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 12 February 2022.