Platysace compressa
| Platysace compressa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Platysace |
| Species: | P. compressa
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| Binomial name | |
| Platysace compressa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Platysace compressa, commonly known as tapeworm plant,[2] is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, ascending or low-lying perennial herb, sometimes with no leaves, or leaves reduced to scales, on flat, winged stems.
Description[edit]
Platysace compressa is an erect, ascending or low-lying perennial herb that typically grows to a height of 0.15–1.2 m (5.9 in – 3 ft 11.2 in). Its stems are flat and rigid, striated and winged, sometimes 4–6.5 mm (0.16–0.26 in) wide. The leaves are small and scale-like, or absent. White or cream-coloured flowers are borne on the ends of branches in compound umbels with thin spreading rays, some of the longer rays with umbellules, sometimes also compound.[3] Flowering occurs from September to March or from January to March.
Taxonomy[edit]
This species was first formally described in 1805 by Jacques Labillardière who gave it the name Azorella compressa in the his Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen.[4][5] In 1939, Cecil Norman transferred the species to the genus Platysace as P. compressa in the Journal of Botany, British and Foreign.[6] The specific epithet (compressa) refers to the flattened stems of this plant.[7]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Platysace compressa grows on coastal limestone and sand dunes, sometimes on granite hills and outcrops in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Platysace compressa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Platysace compressa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ Bentham, George (1867). Flora Australiensis. Vol. 3. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. pp. 352–353. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Azorella compressa". APNI. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Labillardière, Jacques (1805). Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen. Paris. p. 75. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Platysace compressa". APNI. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 167. ISBN 9780958034180.