Cynanchum floribundum
| Cynanchum floribundum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Cynanchum |
| Species: | C. floribundum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cynanchum floribundum | |
Cynanchum floribundum, commonly known as desert cynanchum,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae and grows in Australia. It is a perennial shrub with twining stems and whitish flowers.
Description
Cynanchum floribundum is a multi-branched perennial, upright or scrambling shrub, often with twining branches, grows to about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high and stems when snapped exudes a milky sap. Leaves are borne opposite, oval-shaped to narrowly lance-shaped, 3–9 cm (1.2–3.5 in) long, 10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in) wide, gradually tapering to a point at the apex, heart-shaped or wedge-shaped at the base, smooth, and on a petiole 1,030 mm (41 in) long. The flowers are in a cluster of 5-8, more or less umbellate, white to cream lobe-like petals, corolla 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long and borne at the end of a peduncle. Flowering occurs in spring to summer and the fruit is a narrow pale green pod 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
This species was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[4][5] The specific epithet (floribundum) means 'flowering profusely'.[6]
Distribution and habitat
Desert cynanchum grows on sand dunes, granite rocks, sometimes on rocky edges of watercourses in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory.[3][7]
References
- ^ "Cynanchum floribundum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b Kutsche, Frank; Lay, Brendan; Croft, Tim; Kellermann, Jurgen (2013). Plants of Outback South Australia. Adelaide: State Herbarium of South Australia. p. 69. ISBN 9781922027603.
- ^ a b Harden, G.J; Williams, J.B. "Cynanchum floribundum". PlantNET-NSW FLORA ONLINE. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Brown, Robert (1810). Cynanchum floribundum. London. p. 463. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Cynanchum floribundum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ George, A.S; Sharr, F.A (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables. p. 205. ISBN 9780958034197.
- ^ Paczkowska, Grazyna. "Cynanchum floribundum". Florabase-the Western Australian flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 20 June 2025.