Thomasia × formosa explained

Thomasia × formosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, compact shrub with densely hairy branchlets, hairy, coarsely serrated, egg-shaped to elliptic or oblong leaves, and racemes of pink or purple flowers arranged in leaf axils.

Description

Thomasia × formosa is an erect, compact shrub that typically grows to high, wide and has its branchlets densely covered with rust-coloured, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped to elliptic or oblong, long and wide, tapering to a petiole long with oval stipules long at the base. The upper surface of the leaves is wrinkled, the edges have rounded teeth and down-curved edges, and both surfaces are covered with rust-coloured, star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged in racemes of 7 or more in leaf axils on a peduncle long, each flower on a pedicel up to long, with egg-shaped bracts and 3 bracteoles about long at the base. The sepals are pink or purple with lobes long. Flowering occurs in September and October.[1] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Thomasia × formosa was first formally described in 1974 by Susan Paust in the journal Nuytsia, from specimens collected by Charles Chapman near Three Springs in 1972.[3] The specific epithet (formosa) means "handsome".

This species is an inter-generic hybrid between Thomasia macrocalyx and Lysiosepalum rugosum.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This thomasia grows in mallee woodland, shrubland and heath in a restricted area near Three Springs in the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2]

Conservation status

Thomasia × formosa is listed as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Paust . Susan . Taxonomic studies in Thomasia and Lasiopetalum (Sterculiaceae). . Nuytsia . 1974 . 1 . 4 . 351 . 11 January 2023.
  2. 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 . 24–25.
  3. Web site: Thomasia × formosa . Australian Plant Name Index . 11 January 2023.
  4. Wilkins . Carolyn F. . Chappill . Jennifer A. . A taxonomic revision of the Western Australian genus Lysiosepalum (Malvaceae:Lasiopetaleae) . Nuytsia . 2001 . 13 . 3 . 593 . 11 January 2023.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 11 January 2023.