Hemiandra gardneri, commonly known as red snakebush,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a prostrate, trailing plant with greyish foliage and mostly red flowers.

Red snakebush
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Hemiandra
Species:
H. gardneri
Binomial name
Hemiandra gardneri
Habit

Description

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Hemiandra gardneri is a prostrate, perennial mat forming shrub growing up to 0.1–0.2 m (3.9 in – 7.9 in) high, 0.2 m (7.9 in) wide and stems put 40 cm (16 in) long. The leaves are linear to linear oblong-lance shaped, green or greyish, up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long and 5 mm (0.20 in) wide, covered in short hairs and pointed at the apex. The red to dark pink flowers are borne usually in clusters near the end of stems. The fused corolla tube petals about 14 mm (0.55 in) long, 2 lipped, three lower lobes, 2 upper lobes and anthers protruding a short distance from the corolla. The calyx is bell-shaped, hairy, 5 mm (0.20 in) long and two lipped. Flowering occurs from August to October.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

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Hemiandra gardneri was first formally described in 1927 by Oswald Hewlett Sargent and the description was published in Journal of Botany, British and Foreign.[4] The specific epithet (gardneri) is in honour of Charles Gardner.[5]

Distribution and habitat

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Red snakebush grows on deep sand in heath, scrub and hills north of Watheroo.[2]

Conservation status

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Hemiandra gardneri is listed as "endangered" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Hemiandra gardneri". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Paczkowska, Grazyna. "Hemiandra gardneri". Florabase-the Western Australian Flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Hemiandra gardneri". Plant Profiles. Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Hemiandra gardneri". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  5. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 209. ISBN 9780958034180.
  6. ^ "Hemiandra gardneri". Species Profile and Threats Data Base. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 23 August 2022.