Amperea xiphoclada
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Amperea
Species:
A. xiphoclada
Binomial name
Amperea xiphoclada
Synonyms

Leptomeria brownii Miq. Leptomeria xiphoclada Sieber ex Spreng.

Ampera xiphloclada, commonly known as ‘broom spurge’,[2] is a grass-like erect shrub[3] in the Euphorbiaceae family.[4]

Description

The smooth relatively thin branched, erect shrub is often lime green with dull, light brown sessile clustered flowers.[5]

Distribution

Ampera xipholoclada is found throughout Australia’s eastern and southern coastal areas and inland ranges,[6] as well as much of Tasmania. Distribution and populations are relatively stable.

Habitat

This species is found in woodland, forest, and shrub (also known as heath areas in Australia) habitats. Ampera sp. prefers, a dry place, or by moist well-drained soils.[7]

Taxonomy

Leaves and stems

What appear to be long leaves like a monocot grass clump, the erect structures are instead glabrous stems, smooth and mainly hairless. This plant is almost leafless. During its flowering life stage, it is completely leafless, likely to put more energy into reproduction.

Flowers

Flowering occurs sectionally along the glabrous stem[6] typically from September to February,[8] dependent on the season. Flowers occur in sessile clusters (inflorescence) or with pedicels (part of the stalk that helps the cluster[9]). As this species is mainly dioecious the male and female flowers remain separate and are found on different individuals, rather than one plant having hermaphrodite flowers.

Reproduction and fruit

The fruit is small with three sections in the 2-4mm capsule, which contains the 1.5-2.5mm long, shiny black ovoid seeds.[10]

Uses and planting

Plants in the Euphorbiaceae family have diverse uses, but must be treated with caution as a large proportion of species are toxic, either in the seeds or in the flesh of stems.[4] However, some genus's' can be used as a source of rubber, fruit, dyes and have traditionally been used for medicinal purposes.

Ampera xiphloclada can be used for ground coverage and as an understory plant, and when given access to sunlight it can create a hedge-like feature.

References

  1. ↑ "Amperea xiphoclada". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  2. ↑ "Fact sheet for Amperea xiphoclada". www.flora.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  3. ↑ "PlantNET - FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  4. 1 2 Webster, Grady L. (1986-04-01). "Irritant plants in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae)". Clinics in Dermatology. 4 (2): 36–45. doi:10.1016/0738-081X(86)90062-3. ISSN 0738-081X.
  5. ↑ "Amperea xiphoclada". apps.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  6. 1 2 "ampera xiphloclada | Search | Atlas of Living Australia". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  7. ↑ "Key to Tasmanian Dicots". www.utas.edu.au. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  8. ↑ "Yarra Ranges Local Plant Directory". www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  9. ↑ "Definition of PEDICEL". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  10. ↑ "Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-03-18.


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