Seringia saxatilis
| Seringia saxatilis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Seringia |
| Species: | S. saxatilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Seringia saxatilis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Seringia saxatilis, commonly known as gorge fire-bush,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family and is endemic to Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia. It is a sprawling, open shrub with hairy young stems, oblong to broadly elliptic leaves and purple flowers arranged in groups of 3 to 6.
Description
[edit]Seringia saxatilis is a sprawling, open shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.4–1 m (1 ft 4 in – 3 ft 3 in), about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide, and has hairy stems. The leaves are oblong to broadly elliptic, mostly 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide on a petiole up to 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long with stipules up to 2 mm (0.079 in) long at the base. The leaves are lobed, crinkled and undulating, with deeply impressed veins on the upper surface. The flowers are arranged in a cyme with 3 to 6 flowers on a peduncle 4–9 mm (0.16–0.35 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) long. The flowers are 15 mm (0.59 in) wide and purple with petal-like sepals joined at the base to form a tube with lobes 75% the length of the tube. Petals are absent and the stamens have yellow filaments, and dark coloured anthers. Flowering occurs from July to October.[2][3]
Taxonomy
[edit]In 1999, Carolyn F. Wilkins described Seringia saxatilis in the journal Australian Systematic Botany from specimens collected in Kalbarri National Park in 2010.[4] The specific epithet (saxatilis) means "dwelling among rocks".[5]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This species of seringia is only known from the Kalbarri area where it grows among sandstone boulders in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregions of Western Australia.[2][3]
Conservation status
[edit]Seringia saxatilis is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Seringia saxatilis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Seringia saxatilis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern Bushes of Australia; Thomasias & Allied Genera. Australia: A.P.S. Keiler Plains Inc. pp. 422–423. ISBN 9780646839301.
- ^ "Seringia saxatilis". APNI. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ William T. Stearn (1992). Botanical Latin. History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary (4th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 487.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 7 February 2024.