Leionema dentatum explained

Leionema dentatum, commonly known as toothed phebalium[1] is a species of large shrub or small tree that is endemic to New South Wales, Australia. It has variable leaves, slender branches and clusters of cream-yellow flowers in spring.

Description

Leionema dentatum is a shrub or small tree to high with slender more or less needle-shaped stems. The leaves are variable and may be narrowly oblong or elliptic, lance shaped or linear, long, wide, smooth, apex squared or blunt with two teeth, margins rolled under or upward more or less toothed, underside white with star shaped hairs and a raised midrib. The inflorescence consists of about 10 flowers on an angled peduncle long, individual flowers on a slender pedicel about long. The calyx lobes are a wide-triangular shape and fleshy. The light yellow to white petals about long, smooth and dotted with glands. The fruit sit upright on the stem are about long and end in a small distinct point.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Leionema dentatum was first formally described in 1998 by Paul G. Wilson and the description was published in Nuytsia.[2] [3] The specific epithet (dentatum) is a Latin word meaning "toothed".[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows mostly from Gibraltar Range National Park to the Illawarra region in southern New South Wales on sandstone in dry sclerophyll forests.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leionema dentatum . PlantNET-NSW flora online . Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney . 27 April 2020.
  2. Web site: Leionema dentatum . Australian Plant Name Index . 28 April 2020.
  3. Web site: Nuytsia . Biodiversity Heritage Library . 28 April 2020.
  4. Book: Francis Aubie Sharr. Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, Western Australia . 9780958034180 . 181.