Stenanthemum yorkense is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to an area near York in the southwest of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading shrub with egg-shaped leaves, the narrower end towards the base, and densely crowded, head-like clusters of white, tube-shaped flowers with a yellow centre.
| Stenanthemum yorkense | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Stenanthemum |
| Species: | S. yorkense
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stenanthemum yorkense | |
Description
editStenanthemum yorkense is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in), its young stems densely covered with whitish hairs. Its leaves are grass-like at first, later egg-shaped to broadly egg-shaped, the narrower end towards the base, 8–17 mm (0.31–0.67 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) wide on a densely hairy petiole 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long. There are stipules 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and fused for about half their length at the base of the leaf. The flowers are white with a yellow centre, and borne in clusters up to 14 mm (0.55 in) wide. The floral tube is densely hairy, 3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in) long, the sepals densely covered with curly hairs and about 1.3 mm (0.051 in) long. The petals are about 0.6 mm (0.024 in) long, and the fruit is spherical and about 2 mm (0.079 in) long and densely hairy.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editStenanthemum yorkense was first formally described in 2007 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected near York in 2005.[3][4] The specific epithet (yorkense) refers to the type location.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species is only known from a single hill or hills on private land near York, where a large populations grows on quartzite under Eucalyptus accedens and Allocasuarina trees.[2][3][5]
Conservation status
editStenanthemum yorkense is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[5] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Stenanthemum yorkense". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ a b Kellerman, Jurgen; Thiele, Kevin R. Kodela, Phillip G. (ed.). "Stenanthemum yorkense". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d Rye, Barbara L. (2007). "New species and keys for Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) in Western Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 16 (2): 380–381. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Stenanthemum yorkense". APNI. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Stenanthemum yorkense". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 17 February 2023.