Argophyllum curtum
| Argophyllum curtum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Foliage | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Argophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Argophyllum |
| Species: | A. curtum
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| Binomial name | |
| Argophyllum curtum | |
| |
Argophyllum curtum is a plant in the Argophyllaceae family endemic to a small part of north eastern Queensland. It was described and named in 2018.
Description[edit]
Argophyllum curtum is an evergreen shrub growing up to 5 m (16 ft) tall.[4][5] The new growth is rusty-brown in colour due to a dense covering of brown hairs. The leaves are dark green and hairless above and silvery below, and they measure up to 17 cm (6.7 in) long by 7 cm (2.8 in) wide.[4][5] They are arranged alternately on petioles measuring from 1.3 to 2.8 cm (0.51 to 1.10 in) long.[4][5] They each have 6 to 9 lateral veins on either side of the midrib. The leaf margins (edges) are finely toothed with between 23 and 38 teeth on either edge, the largest of which are just 1 mm (0.039 in) long.[4][5]
The inflorescences are produced from the leaf axils, may be up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long and are densely covered in hairs.[4][5] Flowers are white with 5 petals, measuring about 1 cm (0.39 in) across.[4][5]
The fruit is a capsule up to 3.5 mm (0.14 in) long and 5.5 mm (0.22 in) diameter.[4][5]
Phenology[edit]
Flowering has been observed from May to October, and fruit appear from June to November.[5][6]
Taxonomy[edit]
In 2018 the Australian botanists Anthony Bean and Paul Forster conducted a review of the Australian members of the genus Argophyllum, with the result that 7 new species – including A. curtum – were described. Their paper, titled "A taxonomic revision of Argophyllum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Argophyllaceae) in Australia", was published in the Queensland Herbarium's journal Austrobaileya. The type specimen was collected in 2005 near Cairns by Forster.[5][2][3]
Etymology[edit]
The genus name Argophyllum is derived from Ancient Greek Árgos meaning white or shining, and phúllon meaning leaf. It refers to the white colouration of the underside of the leaves.[5] The species epithet curtum is from the Latin curtus, meaning short, and refers to the very small teeth on the margins of the leaves.[2][5]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
A. curtum is restricted to a small area of the Wet Tropics of Queensland between Kuranda and Edmonton near Cairns.[4][5] There are 5, possibly 6, populations in that area (one that was previously reported has not been relocated since).[5] It is found in open forest and on the margins of streams in complex notophyll rainforest, usually on granitic alluvial soils.[4][5] The altitudinal range is between 120 and 630 m (390 and 2,070 ft).[4][5]
Conservation[edit]
The taxon authors conceded that there are no immediate threats to this species, but also noted that the available habitat is small and potentially subject to detrimental forces.[5] They suggested that a vulnerable status be applied to the species,[5] however the Queensland Department of Environment and Science has assessed it as least concern.[1] As of 5 November 2023[update], it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Gallery[edit]
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Silvery underside of leaves -
Habit -
Flower buds and rusty coloured new growth -
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Species profile—Argophyllum curtum". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Argophyllum curtum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Argophyllum curtum A.R.Bean & P.I.Forst". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Argophyllum curtum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Bean, A.R.; Forster, P.I. (2018). "A taxonomic revision of Argophyllum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Argophyllaceae) in Australia" (PDF). Austrobaileya. 10 (2): 207–235. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Argophyllum curtum". iNaturalist. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
External links[edit]
Data related to Argophyllum curtum at Wikispecies
Media related to Argophyllum curtum at Wikimedia Commons- View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver
