Leucopogon amplexicaulis

Beard-heath
	In Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Leucopogon
Species:	L. amplexicaulis
Binomial name
	Leucopogon amplexicaulis; (Rudge) R.Br.
	Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms
	Styphelia amplexicaulisRudge

Last updated July 09, 2023

Leucopogon amplexicaulis, commonly known as beard-heath,^[2] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to eastern New South Wales. It is a scrambling or straggly shrub with egg-shaped, stem-clasping leaves with hairy edges, and spikes of small white flowers.

Description

Leucopogon amplexicaulis is a weak, scrambling or straggly shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 90 cm (35 in), its branchlets covered with fine hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped and stem-clasping with a heart-shaped base, 9.5–34 mm (0.37–1.34 in) long and 4.5–20 mm (0.18–0.79 in) wide on a petiole 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The edges of the leaf are fringed and the lower surface is covered with soft or velvety hairs. The flowers are white and arranged in groups of three to twelve along spikes up to 37 mm (1.5 in) long and longer than the leaves. The sepals are 2.1–3.1 mm (0.083–0.122 in) long with bracteoles 1.1–1.3 mm (0.043–0.051 in) long at the base. The petal tube is 1.2–1.9 mm (0.047–0.075 in) long with lobes 1.2–2.6 mm (0.047–0.102 in) long with soft hairs inside the tube. Flowering occurs from July to October and is followed by flattened, glabrous drupe about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

Taxonomy

Beard heath was first formally described in 1807 by Edward Rudge who gave it the name Styphelia amplexicaulis in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London from specimens collected near Port Jackson.^[6] In 1810, Robert Brown changed the name to Leucopogon amplexicaulis in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae .^[7] The species name is Latin for "stem-clasping" and refers to the leaves.^[8]

Distribution and habitat

Leucopogon amplexicaulis ranges from the Sydney Basin south to Shoalhaven on the New South Wales South Coast. It is found on sandstone soils in sclerophyll forest, where it grows in sheltered locations on sandstone outcrops and platforms, often near natural seepage.^[2] In the Sydney region it is associated with trees such as Sydney peppermint ( Eucalyptus piperita ), red bloodwood ( Corymbia gummifera ) and smooth-barked apple ( Angophora costata ), and with shrubs such as heath banksia ( Banksia ericifolia ), coral fern ( Gleichenia dicarpa ) and dog rose ( Bauera rubioides ).^[5]

Ecology

Plants live between twenty and thirty years, and become more common in areas long unburnt by bushfire. Leucopogon amplexicaulis is killed by fire and regenerates by seed. The seeds are thought to possibly be dispersed by ants. Beard-heath is killed by fire and regenerates by seed.

Use in horticulture

Members of the genus Leucopogon are seldom cultivated, as their propagation by seed or cutting can be difficult. L. amplexicaulis requires a well-drained site with ample moisture and dappled shade in a garden situation.^[8] They can be grown in humus-enriched and well-drained soil. They best grown in full sun, which keeps the growth compact, and may benefit from light trimming. If they are propagated from seed, they mostly need scarification or prolonged soaking, of from layers or half-hardened tip cuttings. For growing in gardens, they must have a well-drained site with ample moisture and dappled shade with a cool root run provided by large stones. It is mainly used for ornamental purposes in home gardens and public parks. They are also displayed at botanical gardens for educational purposes. It also has decorative value and can be used to make bouquets.

Related Research Articles

Hakea amplexicaulis, commonly known as prickly hakea, is a shrub endemic to south west Western Australia. An attractive small shrub with unusual stem clasping, sharply serrated foliage and a profusion of sweetly scented variable coloured flowers from late winter to spring.

Leucopogon parviflorus, commonly known as coast beard-heath or native currant, is a shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae. It is native to all Australian states and territories excluding the Northern Territory and the ACT and also grows in New Zealand. The species can grow to between 1 and 5 metres in height and has leaves that are 11 to 29 mm long and 2.4 to 7.5 mm in width, often with curved tips. The white flowers are around 15 mm long and are produced in spikes of 7 to 13. These occur throughout the year.

Styphelia marginata, commonly known as thick-margined leucopogon, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a dwarf shrub with lance-shaped leaves and white, tube-shaped flowers.

Leucopogon juniperinus, commonly known as prickly beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect, densely-branched shrub with oblong to more or less egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and white, tube-shaped flowers arranged singly in upper leaf axils.

Leucopogon ericoides, commonly known as the pink beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a slender shrub with oblong leaves, and white to pinkish, tube-shaped flowers.

Styphelia viridis, commonly called green five corners, is a plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to the east coast of Australia. It owes its common name to the appearance of its fruit - a drupe with a flat top and five distinct ribs, and to the colour of its flowers. The flowers appear in autumn and winter and are a source of food for honeyeaters.

Leucopogon affinis, commonly known as lance beard-heath and formerly known as Leucopogon lanceolatus is a flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania and South Australia. It is an erect shrub with spikes of small white flowers in early spring, followed by orange-red fruit.

Leucopogon esquamatus, commonly known as the swamp beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a slender shrub with mainly elliptic leaves, and short-lived white, tube-shaped flowers arranged singly or in pairs in upper leaf axils.

Leucopogon fraseri is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is native to south-eastern continental Australia and New Zealand, where it is known as Styphelia nesophila, pātōtara, or dwarf mingimingi. It is a prickly, prostrate to trailing or low-growing shrub with egg-shaped leaves, and erect, tube-shaped white flowers usually arranged singly in leaf axils.

Leucopogon muticus, commonly knwon as blunt beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect, straggling shrub with egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and small numbers of white, tube-shaped flowers that are densely bearded inside.

Leucopogon attenuatus, commonly known as grey beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. It has grey-green leaves and small white flowers and grows in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Leucopogon appressus is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern New South Wales. It is a small, spreading to erect shrub with wiry stems, lance-shaped or narrowly egg-shaped to elliptic leaves and small white flowers.

Leucopogon collinus, commonly known as fringed beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a slender, erect or spreading shrub with narrowly lance-shaped leaves, and white, tube-shaped, bearded flowers.

Leucopogon cordifolius, commonly known as heart-leaved beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is an erect shrub with broadly egg-shaped to round leaves, and white, tube-shaped flowers, the petals bearded on the inside.

Leucopogon costatus, commonly known as twiggy beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is an erect or straggling shrub with broadly egg-shaped, stem-clasping leaves, and white, tube-shaped flowers, the petals densely bearded on the inside.

Leucopogon crassiflorus is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with few branches and that typically grows to a height of 30–60 cm (12–24 in). Its leaves are broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, to more or less round, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long with a stem-clasping base. The flowers are borne singly or in pairs in upper leaf axils on a short peduncle, sometimes in small clusters, and with small bracts and bracteoles at the base. The sepals are about 4 mm (0.16 in) long and the petals about 6.5 mm (0.26 in) long, the petal lobes longer than the petal tube.

Leucopogon exolasius, commonly known as Woronora beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to a small area of New South Wales. It is an erect shrub with oblong or elliptic leaves, and drooping, white, tube-shaped flowers.

Leucopogon pilifer, commonly known as thready beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a low-lying, dwarf, often mat-forming shrub with long branches, oblong to lance-shaped leaves and crowded, white spikes of densely bearded flowers arranged in groups of between 4 and 9.

Leucopogon rufus, commonly known as spoon-leaf beard-heath or ruddy bearded-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect shrub with erect to spreading, egg-shaped leaves and white, tube-shaped flowers arranged in spikes in two to five leaf axils near the ends of branches.

Leucopogon woodsii, commonly known as nodding beard-heath, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is a slender shrub with more or less erect, egg-shaped leaves, and pendent white, tube-shaped flowers with densely bearded lobes.

References

1 2 "Leucopogon amplexicaulis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
1 2 3 Jocelyn M. Powell. "New South Wales Flora Online: Leucopogon amplexicaulis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
↑ Robinson, Les (2003). Field guide to the native plants of Sydney (3rd (revised) ed.). East Roseville, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0.
↑ Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District:An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 88. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.
1 2 Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1995). "Ecology of Sydney plant species Part 3: Dicotyledon families Cabombaceae to Eupomatiaceae". Cunninghamia. 4 (2): 366. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
↑ "Styphelia amplexicaulis". APNI. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
↑ "Styphelia amplexicaulis". APNI. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
1 2 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1993). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Volume 6 (K-M). Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. pp. 147–150. ISBN 0-85091-589-9.

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[APC-1] 1 2 "Leucopogon amplexicaulis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

[floransw-2] 1 2 3 Jocelyn M. Powell. "New South Wales Flora Online: Leucopogon amplexicaulis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.

[Robinson-3] Robinson, Les (2003). Field guide to the native plants of Sydney (3rd (revised) ed.). East Roseville, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0.

[Fairley-4] Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District:An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 88. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.

[benson-5] 1 2 Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1995). "Ecology of Sydney plant species Part 3: Dicotyledon families Cabombaceae to Eupomatiaceae". Cunninghamia. 4 (2): 366. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

[APNI1-6] "Styphelia amplexicaulis". APNI. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

[APNI-7] "Styphelia amplexicaulis". APNI. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

[EJ15-8] 1 2 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1993). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Volume 6 (K-M). Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. pp. 147–150. ISBN 0-85091-589-9.

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