Styphelia compacta is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a widely spreading or prostrate, much-branched shrub with egg-shaped leaves or lance-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and red flowers arranged in leaf axils.
| Styphelia compacta | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Styphelia |
| Species: | S. compacta
|
| Binomial name | |
| Styphelia compacta | |
Description
editStyphelia compacta is a widely spreading or prostrate shrub with egg-shaped or lance-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, 6.5–8.5 mm (0.26–0.33 in) long on a more or less distinct petiole. The leaves are flat or curved downwards and convex at the end, and sometimes wavy. The flowers are red, arranged in leaf axils or at the base of side-shoots on a pedicel up to 6 mm (0.24 in) long with bracteoles 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The sepals are 6.5 mm (0.26 in) long with a small point on the tip, the petals forming a tube up to twice the length of the sepals, with lobes densely bearded on the inside.[2]
Taxonomy
editStyphelia compacta was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown who gave it the name Astroloma compactum in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[3][4] In 1824, Kurt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel transferred the species to Styphelia as S. compacta in Systema Vegetabilium.[5] The specific epithet (compacta) means "united" or "compact".[6]
Distribution
editThis styphelia occurs in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[7]
Conservation status
editStyphelia compacta is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Styphelia compacta". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Bentham, George (1868). Flora Australiensis. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. pp. 155–156. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Astroloma compactum". APNI. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. London. p. 538. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Styphelia compacta". APNI. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 167. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ a b "Styphelia compacta". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.