Thomasia purpurea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Thomasia
Species:
T. purpurea
Binomial name
Thomasia purpurea
Synonyms[1]
  • Lasiopetalum purpureum W.T.Aiton
  • Thomasia purpurea (W.T.Aiton) J.Gay var. purpurea
  • Thomasia rupestris Steud.
Underside of flower
Flower

Thomasia purpurea is a small, flowering shrub in the family Malvaceae that is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has green oblong-shaped leaves and pinkish purple flowers.

Description

Thomasia purpurea is an upright, slender shrub usually growing to between 0.3–1.2 m (1 ft 0 in – 3 ft 11 in) high, stems covered in star-shaped hairs. It has oblong to narrow-oval shaped leaves, 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long, 7 mm (0.28 in) wide, hairy especially on the underside and wavy margins. The small flowers are cup-shaped, droopin, borne in clusters of 1–3 at the end of branches, lacking petals and calyx lobes pinkish purple. Flowering occurs between April and December.[2][3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by Swedish botanist Jonas Carlsson Dryander and the description was published in William Aiton's Hortus Kewensis in 1811 as Lasiopetalum purpureum.[6] The type specimen was collected by botanist Robert Brown from King George Sound in 1801. In 1821 French botanist Jacques Etienne Gay placed the species in the genus Thomasia.[7] The specific epithet (purpurea) means "purple".[8]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows in coastal regions of south-west Western Australia on ridges, flat lands, seasonally wet locations and sandy hills.[2][3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Thomasia purpurea". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Thomasia purpurea". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 Grieg, Denise (1999). Field Guide to Australian Flowers. Australia: Averill Chase-New Holland. p. 410. ISBN 1864363347.
  4. ↑ Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (2001). Australian Native Plants. Australia: Reed New Holland. p. 476. ISBN 1876334304.
  5. ↑ Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide. Victoria: Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. pp. 48–49. ISBN 9780646839301.
  6. ↑ "Lasiopetalum purpureum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Thomasia purpurea". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  8. ↑ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 296. ISBN 9780958034180.
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