Gastrolobium lehmannii

Gastrolobium lehmannii, the Cranbrook pea, is a vulnerable shrub in the family Fabaceae which is endemic to an area of Western Australia.

Gastrolobium lehmannii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Gastrolobium
Species:
G. lehmannii
Binomial name
Gastrolobium lehmannii
Synonyms

Description edit

It is an erect domed shrub, growing to 1.5 metres (5 ft) high with soft hairy branches and oblong leaves.[2] The pea blooms between September and October[3] producing orange, yellow and red flowers.[2]

It is not known whether this species shares the toxic properties of many other members of the genus Gastrolobium.

Status edit

Gastrolobium lehmannii was listed as "rare" under Western Australia's Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. In 2006 the plant was listed as "vulnerable" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.[1]

Taxonomy edit

The species was first formally described in 1844 by botanist Carl Meissner. In 1995, botanist Michael Crisp placed the species in the genus Nemcia. In 2002, Chandler et al returned it to the Gastrolobium.

Distribution edit

It was first collected by James Drummond (botanist) in 1841, and later by Charles Gardner in 1919 between Cranbrook and the Stirling Ranges and from the Blackwood River area.

It was presumed to be extinct but found again in 2000 to 2002. Programmes have been initiated to conserve the remaining plants.[1][4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Gastrolobium lehmannii — Cranbrook Pea". Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b Brown, A.C. Thomson-Dans and N. Marchant (eds) (1998) Western Australia's Threatened Flora
  3. ^ "Gastrolobium lehmannii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ "Gastrolobium lehmannii (Cranbrook Pea)". Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 2023-04-11.

Further reading edit

External links edit