Cryptandra inconspicua

Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Cryptandra
Species:
C. inconspicua
Binomial name
Cryptandra inconspicua

Cryptandra inconspicua is a flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a small, spreading shrub with narrowly elliptic to egg-shaped leaves and head-like clusters of white, tube-shaped flowers.

Description

Cryptandra inconspicua is a spreading, sometimes almost prostrate shrub that typically grows to a height of 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) and unlike others in the genus, lacks spiny branchlets. The leaves are narrowly elliptic to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 2.0–3.7 mm (0.079–0.146 in) long and 0.7–1.5 mm (0.028–0.059 in) wide, on a petiole 0.3–0.4 mm (0.012–0.016 in) long with stipules 0.7–1.5 mm (0.028–0.059 in) long at the base. The edges of the leaves are rolled under, often concealing the densely hairy lower surface. The flowers are white, borne in head-like clusters of 3 to 8, 2.0–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) wide. The flowers are surrounded by 2 to 4 hairy, egg-shaped bracts. The floral tube is about 0.9 mm (0.035 in) long and densely hairy, the sepals 0.5–0.6 mm (0.020–0.024 in) long and moderately hairy, and the petals are about 0.3 mm (0.012 in) long. Flowering occurs from July to October.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Cryptandra inconspicua was first formally described in 2007 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by William Blackall between Pingrup and Lake Grace in 1933.[2][4] The specific epithet (inconspicua ) means "inconspicuous", referring to the size of the plant and its tiny leaves and flowers.[2]

Distribution

This cryptandra has been recorded near Dumbleyung, between Pingrup and Lake Grace, and in the Fitzgerald River National Park in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]

Conservation status

Cryptandra inconspicua is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Cryptandra inconspicua". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rye, Barbara L. (2007). "New species and keys for Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) in Western Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 16 (2): 366. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Cryptandra inconspicua". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ↑ "Cryptandra inconspicua". APNI. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
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