Astroloma pinifolium

Astroloma pinifolium, commonly known as pine heath, is small prostrate shrub or groundcover in the family Ericaceae endemic to eastern Australia.

Astroloma pinifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Astroloma
Species:
A. pinifolium
Binomial name
Astroloma pinifolium
(R. Br.) Benth.

Taxonomy

It was initially described by the botanist Robert Brown in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae as Stenanthera pinifolia,[1] before being assigned to the genus Astroloma by George Bentham in his work Flora Australiensis in 1868.[2] The specific name is derived from the Latin words pinus "pine" and folium "leaf".[3]

Description

Astroloma pinifolium grows as a spreading shrub 30 cm to 1 m (12–40 in) high and 0.5 to 1.5 m (20 in to 5 ft) across. Its hairy stems are densely packed with pine-like leaves 1–3 cm (0.4-1.2 in) long. The tubular flowers are up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long and appear from August to April, and are found singly along the stems, either yellow or pink with a band of yellow, green at the tip, and tapered at both ends. Flowers are followed by pale green globular berries around 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

Pine heath is found from the north coast of New South Wales, from Evans Head south along the coast, Southern Tablelands and great divide into Victoria and Tasmania. It grows in open forest and heathland on well-drained sandy soils,[4] where it co-occurs with such species as Eucalyptus sieberi, E. globoidea, and Angophora costata in the former habitat, and Allocasuarina distyla and Banksia ericifolia in the latter.[5]

Ecology

The Tasmanian subspecies of the grey currawong (known locally as clinking currawong or black jay) appears especially fond of the berries. One observer noting how sluggish and quiet the normally noisy birds were, wondered whether there was some narcotic effect the plant imparted on the birds.[6]

Cultivation

Astroloma pinifolium can be grown in well-drained soils or in containers in part shade, and propagated from cuttings.[3]

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References
  1. "Stenanthera pinifolia R. Br". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. "Astroloma pinifolium (R. Br.) Benth". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  3. Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1985). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Vol. 2. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 250. ISBN 0-85091-143-5.
  4. Fairley A, Moore P (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District: An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 87. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.
  5. Powell, J. M. (2010). "Astroloma pinifolium (R.Br.) Benth". PlantNET - Flora Online. Sydney, Australia: Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  6. Dove, H. S. (1917). "The Black Strepera on the "Roof of Tasmania"" (PDF). Emu. 17 (1): 45–46. doi:10.1071/mu917045a. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
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