Leionema ralstonii

Leionema ralstonii, is a small shrub with angular, smooth branchlets and pale green flowers in winter. It is restricted to the south coast of New South Wales.

Leionema ralstonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Leionema
Species:
L. ralstonii
Binomial name
Leionema ralstonii
(F.Muell.) Paul G.Wilson[1]

Description

Leionema ralstonii is a small shrub to about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high with smooth, substantially angular branchlets. The smooth leaves are sessile, about 30 mm (1.2 in) long, 8 mm (0.31 in) wide, smooth edges rolled under when dry, papery texture, with a slight notch at the rounded apex. The inflorescence is a tight cluster of 4-7 flowers at the end of branches. The smooth leaves are more or less lance shaped, broader at the apex, 2.5–5 cm (0.98–1.97 in) long, 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) wide, gradually narrowing at the base, margins rolled under or upward when dry. The inflorescence is a compact cyme of 4-7 flowers at the end of branches, the stalk bent downwards, individual fleshy flower stalks are about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. The hemispherical calyx is smooth and fleshy with triangular shaped lobes. The flower petals are pale green, about 8 mm (0.31 in) long and stamens more than double the length of the petals. The dry fruit sits upright, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and ending in a short triangular point. Flowering occurs mostly in winter.[2][3]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1860 and he gave it the name Eriostemon ralstonii and description was published in Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[4][5] In 1998 Paul G. Wilson changed the name to Leionema ralstonii and the name change was published in the journal Nuytsia.[6][7]

Distribution and habitat

Leionema ralstonii is found growing on ridges and creeks in the Bega to Eden district on the south coast of New South Wales.[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified as "vulnerable" by the Government of New South Wales Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.[2]

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References
  1. "Leionema ralstonii". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. Wilson, Paul G. (1999). Flora of Australia-Volume 26 Meliaceae, Rutaceae, Zygophyllaceae. Canberra/Melbourne: ABRS-Department of Environment & Heritage. p. 445. ISBN 9780643109551.
  3. Weston, P.H; Harden, G.J. "Leionema ralstonii". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae". Biodiversity Heritage Library. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  5. "Eriostemon ralstonii". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  6. Wilson, Paul G. (1998). "New species and nomenclatural changes in Phebalium and related genera (Rutaceae)". Nuytsia. 12 (2): 276. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  7. "Leionema ralsonii". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 3 July 2020.


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