Stenanthemum radiatum

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Stenanthemum radiatum

Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Stenanthemum
Species:
S. radiatum
Binomial name
Stenanthemum radiatum

Stenanthemum radiatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to a restricted part of the southwest of Western Australia. It is a spreading shrub with narrowly triangular or wedge-shaped to heart-shaped leaves and densely crowded, head-like clusters of white, densely hairy, tube-shaped flowers.

Description[edit]

Stenanthemum radiatum is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in), its young stems sparsely covered with white star-shaped and simple hairs. Its leaves are narrowly triangular to wedge-shaped or heart-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide on a petiole 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, with broad, fused stipules 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long at the base. Most leaves have a deeply notched tip, the edges of the leaves is rolled under, and the lower surface is hairy. The flowers are white, densely hairy and borne in densely crowded, head-like clusters 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) wide on the ends of branches. The clusters are surrounded by two or more radiating leaves, giving the clusters a daisy-like appearance. The floral tube is densely hairy, about 1 mm (0.039 in) long, the sepals densely hairy and about 1 mm (0.039 in) long and the petals about 0.6 mm (0.024 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to November, and the fruit is 1.8–2.0 mm (0.071–0.079 in) long and densely hairy.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming[edit]

Stenanthemum radiatum was first formally described in 2007 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected in 1998 in the Burma Road Nature Reserve.[3][4] The specific epithet (radiatum) means "with spokes" or "radiating", referring to the arrangement of the leaves around the flower clusters.[3]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

This species is only known from the Burma Road Nature Reserve where it grows on laterite with species of Calothamnus, Hakea and Allocasuarina in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[2][3][5]

Conservation status[edit]

Stenanthemum radiatum is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[5] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Stenanthemum radiatum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kellerman, Jurgen; Thiele, Kevin R. Kodela, Phillip G. (ed.). "Stenanthemum radiatum". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Rye, Barbara L. (2007). "New species and keys for Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) in Western Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 16 (2): 379–380. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Stenanthemum radiatum". APNI. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Stenanthemum radiatum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  6. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 27 January 2023.