Leionema diosmeum is a shrub species in the family Rutaceae that is endemic to southern New South Wales, Australia. It has an upright habit, stems with fine soft hairs, variable shaped leaves and yellow flowers from late winter to spring.
| Leionema diosmeum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Leionema |
| Species: | L. diosmeum
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| Binomial name | |
| Leionema diosmeum | |
Description
editLeionema diosmeum is a shrub to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high with smooth branches, leaves usually needle-shaped or occasionally oval to lance shaped,0.4–2 cm (0.16–0.79 in) long, 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide, rounded apex, upper surface smooth or covered in soft thin individual hairs or rarely fine rough hairs, lower surface with coarse star-shaped hairs. The inflorescence is a compact head at the end of branches, each flower in axils of linear bracts about 5 mm (0.20 in) long on a thick pedicel 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, calyx is an inverted top shape and deeply lobed. The flower petals a creamish-yellow, light red on the outside toward apex, 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long with occasional hairs tipped with glands. The fruit are upright, about 4 mm (0.16 in) long with an angled beak. Bears clusters of yellow flowers in spring.[2]
Taxonomy
editLeionema diosmeum was first formally described by Paul G. Wilson and the description was published in Nuytsia.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species grows on sandstone in dry sclerophyll forest and heath south of the Royal National Park in New South Wales.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Leionema diosmeum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Leionema diosmeum". PlantNET-Flora of New South Wales. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "Nuytsia". Biodiversity Heritage Library. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ "Leionema diosmeum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 26 April 2020.