Stenanthemum radiatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to a restricted part of the southwest of Western Australia. It is a spreading shrub with narrowly triangular or wedge-shaped to heart-shaped leaves and densely crowded, head-like clusters of white, densely hairy, tube-shaped flowers.
| Stenanthemum radiatum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Stenanthemum |
| Species: | S. radiatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stenanthemum radiatum | |
Description
editStenanthemum radiatum is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in), its young stems sparsely covered with white star-shaped and simple hairs. Its leaves are narrowly triangular to wedge-shaped or heart-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide on a petiole 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, with broad, fused stipules 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long at the base. Most leaves have a deeply notched tip, the edges of the leaves is rolled under, and the lower surface is hairy. The flowers are white, densely hairy and borne in densely crowded, head-like clusters 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) wide on the ends of branches. The clusters are surrounded by two or more radiating leaves, giving the clusters a daisy-like appearance. The floral tube is densely hairy, about 1 mm (0.039 in) long, the sepals densely hairy and about 1 mm (0.039 in) long and the petals about 0.6 mm (0.024 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to November, and the fruit is 1.8–2.0 mm (0.071–0.079 in) long and densely hairy.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editStenanthemum radiatum was first formally described in 2007 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected in 1998 in the Burma Road Nature Reserve.[3][4] The specific epithet (radiatum) means "with spokes" or "radiating", referring to the arrangement of the leaves around the flower clusters.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species is only known from the Burma Road Nature Reserve where it grows on laterite with species of Calothamnus, Hakea and Allocasuarina in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[2][3][5]
Conservation status
editStenanthemum radiatum is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[5] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Stenanthemum radiatum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b Kellerman, Jurgen; Thiele, Kevin R. Kodela, Phillip G. (ed.). "Stenanthemum radiatum". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d Rye, Barbara L. (2007). "New species and keys for Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) in Western Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 16 (2): 379–380. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "Stenanthemum radiatum". APNI. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Stenanthemum radiatum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 27 January 2023.