Biology:Monotoca submutica
| Monotoca submutica | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Monotoca |
| Species: | M. submutica
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| Binomial name | |
| Monotoca submutica (Benth.) Jarman
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Monotoca submutica, commonly known as mountain broomheath,[1] is an endemic heath family shrub in the Epacridaceae family and is one of 17 species in the genus Monotoca. It is a widespread and locally common small to tall woody dense shrub found in the alpine/subalpine woodlands of southern and western mountains of Tasmania, Australia .[1][2][3]
Description
Monotoca submutica is an erect, dense and compact shrub, usually occurring as a small/medium shrub (1-3m high as a shrub) or when associated with wet sclorphyll forests it can grow as a small woody tree (up to 6m).[3] Leaves are suberect and shaped from elliptical through to oblong/obovate (6-12mm long and 2-3.5mm wide), leaf margins are slightly recurved with a green flat or slightly convex adaxial surface and glaucous abaxial surface.[3] The flowers are white and often solitarily arranged axillary, but can also be arranged in short spikes with 2-4 flowers.[3] In most cases individuals are dioecious, with the main difference between female and male flowers being that the male flowers have their anthers half exserted. Immature fruit is spherical/oval and green, matured drupe turns to red/orange.[1] Flowering occurs from September through to October.[3] A distinguishing feature of Monotoca submutica is that the leaf apex is mucronate and not sharp.
Distribution and habitat
Monotoca submutica is endemic to Tasmania. It is a widespread species in southern and western Tasmania,[4] where it is found in subalpine forests and woodlands as a small to medium shrub.[1][3] In wet sclerophyll forests that are associated with rainforests, it can occur as a small tree (up to 6m).[3] On the east coast of Tasmania in the Freycinet Peninsula, a more robust form of the typical Monotoca submutica is known to occur.[3]
Cultivation
Monotoca submutica is not a commonly grown and cultivated species, would do best in well drained, moist soil with moderate sunlight.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Howells, Christine (July 2021) (in English). Tasmania's Natural Flora. Australian Plants Society Incorporated. - Tasmania. ISBN 9780909830090.
- ↑ "EPACRIDACEAE Monotoca submutica". https://www.utas.edu.au/docs/plant_science/field_botany/species/dicots/epacrsp/monosubm.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Jarman, S.J. (1978). "New species in the family Epacridacea". Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 112: 1–3. doi:10.26749/rstpp.112.1. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/14185/.
- ↑ Jordan, Greg. "Monotoca submutica (= M. scoparia var submutica; Ericaceae) 2:442". https://www.utas.edu.au/dicotkey/dicotkey/EPACRIDS/sMonotoca_submutica.htm.
Wikidata ☰ Q17251406 entry
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