Minuria leptophylla commonly known as minnie daisy,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small perennial herb with white daisy-like flowers. It is endemic to Australia and grows in all mainland states.

Minnie daisy
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Minuria
Species:
M. leptophylla
Binomial name
Minuria leptophylla
Habit

Description

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Minuria leptophylla is a spreading, decumbent herb, occasionally upright to 30 cm (12 in) high and usually branched from the base. The stems are sparsely, minutely hairy eventually becoming smooth. The leaves are linear shaped, 5–20 mm (0.20–0.79 in) long, 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) wide with occasional hairs to smooth, margins smooth and sharp at the apex. The single flower heads are at the end of branches, inner bracts narrowly egg-shaped, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) wide, apex rounded, fringed, outer bracts narrower and fringed. The flowers are white to pale mauve and the petals 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long. Flowering occurs from June to October and the fruit is one-seeded, dry, egg-shaped and 0.5–1.2 mm (0.020–0.047 in) long.[3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

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Minuria leptophylla was first formally described in 1836 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle and the description was published in Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.[5][6] The specific epithet (leptophylla) means "leaved ".[7]

Distribution and habitat

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Minnie daisy grows in all mainland states of Australia on loam or light clay soils in woodland, forest and shrubland.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Minuria leptophylla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  2. ^ Spooner, Amanda. "Minuria leptophylla". Florabase-Flora of Western Australia. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  3. ^ Stajsic, Val. "Minuria leptophylla". VICFLORA-Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b Lander, N.S. "Minuria leptophylla". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Minuria leptophylla". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  6. ^ de Candolle, Augustin Pyramus (1836). Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis. p. 298.
  7. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 246. ISBN 9780958034180.