Styphelia hainesii explained

Styphelia hainesii is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south coast of Western Australia. It is a bushy shrub with egg-shaped leaves, the narrower end towards the base, and red, tube-shaped flowers arranged singly in leaf axils.

Description

Styphelia hainesii is a bushy shrub that typically grows to a height of . Its leaves are egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long, rarely with a small, sharp point on the tip. The flowers are usually borne singly or pairs in leaf axils and are nearly sessile with broad, blunt bracteoles less than long. The sepals are almost pointed, about long, the petals red, nearly long and joined at the base, forming a tube with 5 dense tufts of hairs inside, above the base. Flowering occurs from March to November.[1]

Taxonomy

Styphelia hainesii was first described in 1864 by Ferdinand von Mueller in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.[2] [3] The specific epithet (hainesii) honours William Haines.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This styphelia occurs in sandy soils over limestone in limestone slopes, sand dunes and flats in near-coastal sites in the Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Hampton and Mallee bioregions of southern Western Australia.

Conservation status

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

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bentham . George . von Mueller . Ferdinand . Flora Australiensis . 4 . 1868 . Lovell Reeve & Co. . London . 148. 18 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Styphelia hainesii. APNI. 18 January 2024.
  3. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae . 1864 . 4 . Victorian Government Printer . Melbourne . 96 . 14 December 2023.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 213 . 3rd.