Conostephium uncinatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with clustered, narrowly oblong leaves with hooked tips, and spindle-shaped flowers.
| Conostephium uncinatum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Conostephium |
| Species: | C. uncinatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Conostephium uncinatum | |
Description
editConostephium uncinatum is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.5–1.4 m (1 ft 8 in – 4 ft 7 in). Its leaves are clustered, narrowly oblong, 3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in) long and about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) wide on a petiole 0.7 mm (0.028 in) long, with the edges rolled under and a hooked tip. The flowers are arranged singly in upper leaf axils and are 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long, 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide and more or less sessile, the bracteoles nearly as long as the sepals. The sepals are 4.5–5.0 mm (0.18–0.20 in) long, papery and shiny, the petal tube spindle-shaped, 7.0–7.5 mm (0.28–0.30 in) and about 1 mm (0.039 in) wide. This species is similar to C. minus and C. marchantiorum but has leaves with the edges more tightly turned under, and shorter flower parts.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editConostephium uncinatum was first formally described in 1987 by Paul G.van der Moezel in the journal Nuytsia from specimens he collected near Grass Patch in 1982.[2][4] The specific epithet (uncinatum) means "hooked" and refers to the tip of the leaves.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThis conostephium grows in deep, sandy soils between Grass Patch and Clyde Hill in the Mallee bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]
Conservation status
editConostephium uncinatum is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Conostephium uncinatum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d van der Moezel, Paul G. (1987). "A new species of Conostephium (Epacridaceae) from south-western Western Australia". Nuytsia. 6 (1): 47–49. doi:10.58828/nuy00128. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Conostephium uncinatum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Conostephium uncinatum". APNI. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 13 February 2023.