Biology:Thomasia multiflora

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Short description: Species of grass

Thomasia multiflora

Priority One — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Thomasia
Species:
T. multiflora
Binomial name
Thomasia multiflora
E.Pritz.[1]

Thomasia multiflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading shrub with broadly egg-shaped leaves and mauve flowers.

Description

Thomasia multiflora is a spreading shrub that typically grows to 0.3–1.5 m (1 ft 0 in–4 ft 11 in) high and 0.5–1.5 m (1 ft 8 in–4 ft 11 in) wide, its new growth densely covered with star-shaped hairs. The leaves are broadly egg-shaped, 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide on a petiole 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long with wing-like stipules at the base of the petioles. The flowers are 12–18 mm (0.47–0.71 in) in diameter and arranged in racemes of 6 to 12 on a hairy peduncle 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in) long. Each flower is on a short pedicel with hairy, linear bracteoles at the base. The sepals are mauve, joined for about half their length, and there are no petals.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Thomasia multiflora was first formally described in 1904 by Ernst Georg Pritzel in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie from specimens collected near King George Sound.[4][5] The specific epithet (multiflora) means "many-flowered".[2]

Distribution and habitat

This thomasia grows in shrubland and woodland in winter-wet areas and on granite outcrops from near Walpole to Albany in the Esperance Plains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]

Conservation status

Thomasia multiflora is classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[6]

References

  1. "Thomasia multiflora". Australian Plant Census. https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/65678. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide. Victoria: Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. pp. 40–41. ISBN 9780646839301. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Thomasia multiflora". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5090. 
  4. "Thomasia multiflora". Australian Plant Name Index. https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/rest/instance/apni/472871. 
  5. Pritzel, Ernst G. (1904). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse.". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 35 (2–3): 375. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/126846#page/404/mode/1up. Retrieved 3 January 2023. 
  6. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna". Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf. Retrieved 22 January 2023. 

Wikidata ☰ Q17580960 entry