Homoranthus lunatus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Crescent-leaved homoranthus
Homoranthus lunatus in the ANBG
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Homoranthus
Species:
H. lunatus
Binomial name
Homoranthus lunatus
Craven & S.R.Jones[1]
Occurrence data from AVH
Habit

Homoranthus lunatus, commonly known as crescent-leaved homoranthus,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in northern New South Wales. It is a spreading shrub with curved leaves and small groups of up to six yellow flowers in leaf axils.[3]

Description[edit]

Homoranthus lunatus is small, spreading shrub to about 40 cm (16 in) high. The leaves are borne in opposite pairs at right angles to one another, flattened and crescent-shaped, 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) long, 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) wide and pointed at the apex. The single yellow flowers are about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and arranged one to six flowers on each branch. Flowering occurs from July to November and fruits August to December.[4]

Taxonomy and naming[edit]

Homoranthus lunatus was first formally described in 1991 by Lyndley Craven and S.R.Jones and the description was published in Australian Systematic Botany.[5][6] The specific epithet (lunatus) is a Latin word meaning "shaped like a crescent moon".[7]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Only found in a single population in Torrington district and locations in Boonoo Boonoo and Basket Swamp National Parks north east of Tenterfield New South Wales. Grows in heath on shallow sandy soils on and around granite outcrops.[4]

Conservation status[edit]

Considered vulnerable by Briggs and Leigh (1996). ROTAP code 2VCt. The plant should be considered rare.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Homoranthus lunatus". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ "Homoranthus lunatus". Threatened Species. NSW Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  3. ^ Harden, Gwen J. "Homoranthus lunatus". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Copeland, Lachlan M.; Craven, Lyn A.; Bruhl, Jeremy J. (2011). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 24 (6): 351. doi:10.1071/SB11015.
  5. ^ "Homoranthus lunatus". APNI. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  6. ^ Craven, Lyndley A.; Jones, S R. (1991). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus and two new species of Darwinia (both Myrtaceae, Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 4 (3): 513. doi:10.1071/SB9910513. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  7. ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 237.

External links[edit]