Cryptandra tomentosa, commonly known as prickly cryptandra,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to the southern continental Australia. It is a small, straggling, erect to low-lying shrub sometimes with spiny branches, and has cylindrical leaves and loose clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers that turn pink to red as they age.
| Cryptandra tomentosa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Cryptandra |
| Species: | C. tomentosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Cryptandra tomentosa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description edit
Cryptandra tomentosa is a small, straggling, erect to low-lying shrub that typically grows to a height of 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in), its branchlets sometimes ending in a spine. The leaves are cylindrical, mostly 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) long and about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) wide, on a short petiole 0.6–0.8 mm (0.024–0.031 in) long with stipules up to 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long at the base. The edges of the leaves are rolled under, usually concealing most of the lower surface. The flowers are borne in sessile, spike-like clusters of a few flowers with broadly egg-shaped bracts up to 1 mm (0.039 in) long at the base. The floral tube is broadly bell-shaped, 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) long and white, ageing to pink or red, the sepals about the same length as the floral tube, and the petals about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) long. Flowering occurs from May to October.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy edit
Cryptandra tomentosa was formally described in 1838 by botanist John Lindley in Thomas Livingstone Mitchell's Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia.[5][6] The specific epithet (tomentosa ) means "tomentose".[7]
Distribution and habitat edit
Prickly cryptandra grows in heath and woodland west of Port Phillip Bay in Victoria and in south-eastern South Australia, including on Kangaroo Island.[2][3][4]
References edit
- ^ a b "Cryptandra tomentosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Walsh, Neville G.; Udovicic, Frank. "Cryptandra tomentosa". Royakl Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Cryptandra tomentosa". State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ a b Wild Plants of Victoria (database). Viridans Biological Databases & Department of Sustainability and Environment. 2009.
- ^ Lindley, John (27 July 2004). Mitchell, Thomas (ed.). The Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Vol 2 (of 2). Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ^ "Cryptandra tomentosa". APNI. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 325. ISBN 9780958034180.