Androcalva perkinsiana, commonly known as headland commersonia,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to a restricted part of central eastern Queensland. It is a small, erect shrub with hairy young branchlets, oblong or lance-shaped leaves with 5 to 11 pairs of small serrations on the edges, and groups of 3 to 4 pale purple flowers.
| Androcalva perkinsiana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Androcalva |
| Species: | A. perkinsiana
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| Binomial name | |
| Androcalva perkinsiana | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editAndrocalva perkinsiana is an erect shrub that typically grows up to 10 cm (3.9 in) high, 30 cm (12 in) wide, and that forms suckers. Its young branchlets are covered with soft, glandular hairs. The leaves are oblong to lance-shaped, 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) long and 6–11 mm (0.24–0.43 in) wide on a petiole 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) long with triangular stipules 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long at the base. The edges of the leaves have 5 to 11 pairs of small serrations, the upper surface is covered with star-shaped hairs and the lower surface is velvety-hairy. The flowers are arranged in groups of 3 or 4 on a peduncle 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) long, each flower on a pedicel less than 2 mm (0.079 in) long, with bracts 2 mm (0.079 in) long at the base. The flowers are pale purple and 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) in diameter with 5 petal-like sepals, the lobes 2.0–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) long. The petals are 3.4–4.0 mm (0.13–0.16 in) long, the middle lobe egg-shaped and the side lobes rounded. Flowering has been recorded in April and December.[3][4]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first formally described in 2006 by Gordon Guymer who gave it the name Commersonia perkinsiana in the journal Austrobaileya from specimens collected in the Byfield Conservation Park in 2005.[5] In 2012, Carolyn Wilkins and Barbara Whitlock transferred the species to Androcalva as A. perkinsiana in Australian Systematic Botany.[6] The specific epithet (perkinsiana) honours David Perkins (1945–2006), who furthered the conservation of Queensland's coastal environment and marine parks.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editHeadland commersonia is only known from a single population on a coastal headland in Byfield Conservation Park where it grows in tussock grassland.[3][4]
Conservation status
editAndrocalva perkinsiana is listed as "critically endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Androcalva perkinsiana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ a b "SPRAT Profile - Androcalva perkinsiana". Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ a b Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide. Victoria: Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. pp. 138–139. ISBN 9780646839301.
- ^ a b c Guymer, Gordon P. (2006). "New species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae) from Queensland". Austrobaileya. 7 (2): 365–367. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Commersonia perkinsiana". APNI. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Androcalva perkinsiana". APNI. Retrieved 8 May 2023.