Comesperma sphaerocarpum

Comesperma sphaerocarpum, commonly known as the broom milkwort, is an Australian plant in the milkwort family. Inconspicuous unless in flower, it grows from 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in) high. The stems are ridged and usually leafless, and arise from the plant's woody base. The rarely seen leaves are at the base of the shoot. They are thick in texture, and measure 8 mm long by 2 mm wide.[1] This plant first appeared in scientific literature in Plantae Preissianae in 1846, authored by the German botanist Joachim Steetz.[2]

Comesperma sphaerocarpum
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Comesperma
Species:
C. sphaerocarpum
Binomial name
Comesperma sphaerocarpum
Synonyms

* Bredemeyera sphaerocarpa (Steetz) Steenis

Endemic to New South Wales, Comesperma sphaerocarpum is found along the tablelands and coast, from Warialda in the north to Nowra.[1] In the Sydney region it is found in the Munmorah State Conservation Area, Royal, Lane Cove and Brisbane Water National Parks and other bushland reserves.[3][4][5][6]

The habitat is sandy soils in heathland or low eucalyptus country, sometimes in high rainfall areas. The specific epithet sphaerocarpum is from the Ancient Greek, referring to the ball-shaped fruit. The attractive violet or blue flowers form from October to May. The width of the flower is around 1 cm (0.5 in). The fruit is somewhat broadly triangular or round, and tapers to the stem, although not as prominently tapered as are other plants in this genus.[7] The fruit is 4 mm long.

Its habit distinguishes it from the related pink matchheads or heath milkwort (Comesperma ericinum) which has erect stems, and the love creeper (Comesperma volubile) which has a twining habit.[3]

In cultivation this plant prefers sunny situations in moist infertile soils.

References
  1. "Comesperma sphaerocarpum". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  2. "Comesperma sphaerocarpum Steetz". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  3. Fairley A, Moore P (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District: An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 245. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.
  4. "Lane Cove National Park Wildflowers". Smaller Families.
  5. "Native Plants of the Ryde District" (PDF). The Conservation Significance of Ryde’s Bushland Plants. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-08-20. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "Flora & Fauna". The Hills Shire, Sydney. Archived from the original on 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0 page 199


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