Conostephium marchantiorum

Conostephium marchantiorum is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with linear leaves clustered near the ends of branchlets, and pale green and pink, densely-bearded, tube-shaped flowers.

Conostephium marchantiorum

Priority Three — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Conostephium
Species:
C. marchantiorum
Binomial name
Conostephium marchantiorum

Description

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Conostephium marchantiorum is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and has many branches, its leaves clustered near the ends of twigs. The leaves are linear, leathery, 8–11 mm (0.31–0.43 in) long and 0.9–1.6 mm (0.035–0.063 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) long. The edges of the leaves are rolled under and the lower surface has several prominent longitudinal veins. The flowers are arranged singly in 2 to 4 leaf axils on each twig with small, egg-shaped bracts and several broader, overlapping bracteoles closely surrounding the flowers. The sepals are lance-shaped, 2.8–3.2 mm (0.11–0.13 in) long, the petals white and joined at the base to form a tube about 1.6 mm (0.063 in) long. The petal lobes are twice as long as the petal tube and densely bearded. Flowering has been observed in March, July and November.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

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Conostephium marchantiorum was first formally described in 1986 by Arne Strid in the journal Willdenowia from specimens he collected near Scaddan in 1983.[2][4] The specific epithet (marchantiorum) honours Neville Graeme Marchant and his wife Denise.[2][5]

Distribution and habitat

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This leucopogon grows on sand on plains, creeklines and the edges of salt lakes in the Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[3]

Conservation status

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Leucopogon marchantiorum is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Conostephium marchantiorum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Strid, Arne K. (1986). "New Species of Leucopogon and Conostephium (Epacridaceae) from SW Australia". Willdenowia. 16: 174–175.
  3. ^ a b c "Conostephium marchantiorum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ "Conostephium marchantiorum". APNI. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  5. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 248. ISBN 9780958034180.
  6. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 9 December 2015.