Lechenaultia aphylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae and is endemic to arid parts of inland Australia. It is a glabrous herb or subshrub with spreading branches, almost no leaves, and yellow, tube-shaped flowers.
| Lechenaultia aphylla | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Goodeniaceae |
| Genus: | Lechenaultia |
| Species: | L. aphylla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lechenaultia aphylla | |
Description
editLechenaultia aphylla is a glabrous herb or subshrub that typically grows to a height of up to 50 cm (20 in) with spreading branches. Its few leaves are scattered and 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) long but soon fall off. The flowers are borne singly or in small groups on the ends of branchlets, the sepals 1.0–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long. The petals form a yellow tube 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) long, the tube hairy inside. The wings on the lower petal lobes are triangular, 1.0–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) wide. Flowering occurs sporadically and the fruit is about 15 mm (0.59 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy
editLechenaultia aphylla was first formally described in 1992 by David A. Morrison in the Flora of Australia from specimens collected near Mount Finke by David Eric Symon in 1987.[3][4] The specific epithet (aphylla) means "without leaves".[5]
Distribution and habitat
editThis leschenaultia has been recorded between sand dunes and on flats in open shrubland and is only known from a few locations near Yellabine north of Ceduna in South Australia and in the Great Victoria Desert in Western Australia.[2][3][6]
Conservation status
editLechenaultia aphylla is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Lechenaultia aphylla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Lechenaultia aphylla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b c "Lechenaultia aphylla". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "Lechenaultia aphylla". APNI. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 135. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ Sage, Leigh W. (2003). "Conservation status of Lechenaultia aphylla (Goodeniaceae), a disturbance opportunist from the Great Victoria Desert, Australia". Australian Systematic Botany. 9 (2): 152–155. doi:10.1071/PC030152.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 20 January 2022.