Maireana pentatropis
| Maireana pentatropis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Maireana |
| Species: | M. pentatropis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Maireana pentatropis | |
Maireana pentatropis commonly known as erect mallee bluebush,[2]is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a small upright shrub with greyish woolly branches and fleshy alternate leaves.
Description
Maireana pentatropis is an upright, small perennial to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high and ascending branches densely covered with white woolly hairs. The leaves are alternate, almost terete, succulent, 7–15 mm (0.28–0.59 in) long, smooth and occasionally short and rounded. Flowers borne singly in leaf axils, bisexual, perianth a top-shaped tube, hairless with 3-5 vertical wings, and a flat, slit horizontal wing 12 mm (0.47 in) wide. Flowering occurs most of the year and the fruit becomes dark brown with age.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
This species was described in 1885 by Ralph Tate who gave it the name Kochia pentatropis and the description was published in Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia.[4][5] In 1975 Paul G.Wilson changed the name to Maireana pentatropis, the name change and description was published in Nuytsia.[6][7] The specific epithet (pentatropis) means 'five wings'.[8]
Distribution and habitat
Erect mallee bluebush grows on sandy soils, clay, low lying areas and mostly in mallee communities in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[2][9]
References
- ^ "Maireana pentatropis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Jacobs, S.W.L. "Maireana pentatropis". PlantNET-NSW Flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ Kutsche, Frank; Lay, Brendan; Croft, Tim; Kellermann, Jurgen (2013). Plants of Outback South Australia. Adelaide: State Herbarium of South Australia. p. 108. ISBN 9781922027603.
- ^ "Kochia pentatropis". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ Tate, Ralph (1885). "Kochia pentatropis". Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia. 7: 67. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Maireana pentatropis". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ Wilson, Paul (1975). "Maireana pentatropis". Nuytsia. 2 (1): 39. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ George, A.S; Sharr, F.A (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables. p. 281. ISBN 9780958034197.
- ^ "Maireana pentatropis". Florabase-the Western Australian flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 13 June 2025.