Pimelea nivea is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is an erect shrub with densely hairy young stems, elliptic to round leaves arranged in opposite pairs, and compact clusters of white or cream-coloured flowers.
| Pimelea nivea | |
|---|---|
| |
| In the Australian National Botanic Gardens | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Thymelaeaceae |
| Genus: | Pimelea |
| Species: | P. nivea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pimelea nivea | |
Description
editPimelea nivea is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.3–3.5 m (1 ft 0 in – 11 ft 6 in), its young stems densely covered with white hairs. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, elliptic to round, 2–16 mm (0.079–0.630 in) long and 2.5–12 mm (0.098–0.472 in) wide on a short petiole. The upper surface of the leaves is glabrous and the lower surface is densely covered with white hairs. The flowers are arranged in large numbers on the ends of the branches in compact clusters. The flowers are usually white or cream-coloured, rarely pale pink, the sepals 2.0–4.5 mm (0.079–0.177 in) long, the floral tube 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to February.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
editPimelea nivea was first formally described in 1805 by Jacques Labillardière in his book Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen[5].[6] The specific epithet (nivea) means "snowy" or "snow-white".[7]
Distribution and habitat
editThis pimelea mainly grows on rocky hillslopes and is found in the Devonport-Waterhouse and between Hobart and South West Cape, where it is common and widespread.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ "Pimelea nivea". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ a b Rye, Barbara L. "Pimelea nivea". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ a b Rodway, Leonard (1903). The Tasmanian Flora. Hobart: Tasmanian Government Printer. pp. 173–174. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Plant Diary: Pimelia Nivea". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 September 2000. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- ^ Labillardière, Jacques (1805). Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. Paris. p. 10. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Pimelea nivea". APNI. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ William T. Stearn (1992). Botanical Latin. History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary (4th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 452.