Sprengelia distichophylla is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is a tufted shrub that typically grows to a height of 51–76 mm (2.0–3.0 in) with leaves about 2 mm (0.079 in) long, arranged in two closely overlapping rows, with the bases sheathing the stem. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils and are white, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and bell-shaped. Flowering occurs in summer.[2][3][4]
Sprengelia distichophylla | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ericaceae |
Genus: | Sprengelia |
Species: | S. distichophylla
|
Binomial name | |
Sprengelia distichophylla | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Sprengelia incarnata var. distichophylla Rodway |
This species was first formally described in 1903 by Leonard Rodway who gave it the name Sprengelia incarnata var. distichophylla in The Tasmanian Flora.[5] In 1963, Winifred Curtis raised the variety to species status as Sprengelia distichophylla in The Student's Flora of Tasmania.[6] The specific epithet (distichophylla) means "having leaves in two rows".[7]
This epacris grows in exposed in alpine scrub on the western mountains of Tasmania.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Sprengelia distichophylla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ a b Jordan, Greg. "Sprengelia distichophylla". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ Curtis, Winifred M. "Sprengelia distichophylla". Alpine Garden Society. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ Rodway, Leonard (1903). The Tasmanian Flora. Hobart: Tasmanian Government Printer. p. 124. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Sprengelia incarnata var. distichophylla". APNI. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Sprengelia distichophylla". APNI. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 185. ISBN 9780958034180.