Thomasia grandiflora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Thomasia
Species:
T. grandiflora
Binomial name
Thomasia grandiflora

Thomasia grandiflora, commonly known as large-flowered thomasia,[2] is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. The flowers are pinkish-purple with a papery appearance hanging in pendents from the leaf axils. The calyx lobes are prominent and larger than the petals.

Description

Thomasia grandiflora is a small shrub that grows to about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high and wide. The dark, bright green leaves vary in shape, usually heart-shaped or occasionally narrowly elliptic, slightly flexible, leathery and 15–25 mm (0.59–0.98 in) long. The flowers have wide, conspicuous, pinkish-purple calyx lobes that are more prominent than the petals. The calyx is thicker near the mid-vein. The small petals are densely covered with star-shaped hairs, occasionally with only a few scattered hairs. The flowers have a papery texture and about 2 cm (0.79 in) across on short pendant stalks. The flowers are followed by capsules containing black seeds that are shed from the plant when ripe. Flowering occurs from winter to spring.[3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Thomasia grandiflora was first formally described by botanist John Lindley in 1839 who published the description in A sketch of the vegetation of the Swan River Colony in 1839.[6][7] The specific epithet (grandiflora) is from the Latin grandis meaning "large" or "great"[8]: 378  and flos meaning "flower"[8]: 338  referring to the large flowers of the species.[5]

Distribution and habitat

Large-flowered thomasia is a widespread species, mostly found in near-coastal locations growing in open forest in the south-west of Western Australia.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Thomasia grandiflora". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  2. ↑ Greig, Denise (1999). Field Guide to Australian Wildflowers. Avery Chase-New Holland. ISBN 1-86436-334-7.
  3. ↑ "Thomasia grandiflora". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ↑ Shepherd, Kelly A. (2019). "Thomasia grandiflora". Nuytsia (30). Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Harris, Thistle Y. (1979). Gardening with Australian Plants. Melbourne, Victoria: Thomas Nelson Australia. ISBN 0-17-005120-X.
  6. ↑ "Thomasia grandifolia". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
  7. ↑ Lyndley, John. "A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony". Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  8. 1 2 Brown, Roland W. (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington D.C: Smithsonian Institution Press.
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