Gonocarpus humilis

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Gonocarpus humilis
Gonocarpus humilis.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Haloragaceae
Genus: Gonocarpus
Species:
G. humilis
Binomial name
Gonocarpus humilis
Orchard
Gonocarpus Humilis Distribution.png
Atlas of living Australia distribution

Gonocarpus humilis, commonly known as Shade Raspwort, is a small herb in the genus Gonocarpus of the family Haloragaceae. Shade Raspwort is common and widespread along the eastern coast of Australia, and grows in moist and shaded locations. [1] The leaves have a rough and scabrous surface, giving the plant the common name raspwort. [2]

Contents

Description

G. humilis is a variable monoecious perennial herb, reaching up to 50cm tall. [1] It ranges from erect to prostrate or semiprostrate, with stems up to 70cm. [2] Stems are ribbed, hairy or rough with spreading hairs that are warty at the base. Flowers are yellow-green, with 4 hooded petals and stamens each, 0.8–1.5 mm (0.031–0.059 in) long. Leaves are opposite and decussate with toothed margins 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) long, 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) wide and shortly petiolate with a scabrous surface. [3] The fruit is a silver-grey to purplish nut, oval in shape 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long. It has 8 ribs with two to three hard protrusions between them. [4]

Distribution

G. humilis is widespread down the east coast of Australia, and occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. It also occurs on Kangaroo Island. [5]

Habitat

This species is commonly found throughout a variety of habitats in moist or boggy patches in shady locations. [6] The habitat is variable depending on location, but it is primarily found in coastal regions in most states, except for Tasmania and Victoria where it is widespread, occurring from the coast through to inland regions. [7] [8]

Distinguishing from similar species

Commonly mistaken for G. tetragynus , it can be distinguished by inflorescence: the flowers are alternate and sparse, bracts are also smaller and distinctly different from the leaves. Its habit is also lax rather than erect. [9] [10] It also has four stamens instead of 8 and lacks white, appressed hairs.[ citation needed ] Site moisture can also be an indicator: G. tetragynus prefers dryer conditions.

Cultivation

This species is rarely cultivated. [11]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  2. 1 2 "Fact sheet for Gonocarpus humilis". www.flora.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  3. "PlantNET - FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  4. "Gonocarpus humilis". apps.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  5. Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Gonocarpus humilis (Shade Raspwort)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  6. "Yarra Ranges Local Plant Directory". www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  7. "PlantNET - FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  8. Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Gonocarpus humilis (Shade Raspwort)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  9. "Key to Tasmanian Dicots". www.utas.edu.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  10. "Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  11. "SGAP". apswarrnambool.org.au. Retrieved 2023-03-27.