Maireana convexa

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Maireana convexa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Maireana
Species:
M. convexa
Binomial name
Maireana convexa
Synonyms [1]

Kochia ciliataF.Muell.

Maireana convexa, commonly known as mulga bluebush, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae, and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an open, widely branched shrub or subshrub with fleshy, linear leaves, sometimes with silky hairs, bisexual flowers arranged singly, and a top-shaped fruiting perianth with a papery wing.

Contents

Description

Maireana convexa is an open, widely branched shrub or subshrub that typically grows to a height of 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) and has woolly hairy branchlets. Its leaves are arranged alternately, fleshy, linear to more or less round in cross section, 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) long, about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide and sometimes covered with silky hairs. Its flowers are bisexual and are arranged singly and glabrous, the upper perianth deeply lobed and covered with woolly hairs. The fruiting perianth has a broadly top-shaped tube about 3 mm (0.12 in) long and 5 mm (0.20 in) wide with a papery, horizontal wing about 15 mm (0.59 in) in diameter and a single radial slit. [3] [4]

Taxonomy

Maireana convexa was first formally described in 1975 by Paul Wilson in the journal Nuytsia from specimens he collected 19 km (12 mi) east of Leonora in 1968. [5] The specific epithet (convexa) means 'convex', referring to the fruiting perianth of this species. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Mulga bluebush usually grows in non-saline soils in mulga habitat between latitudes 25°S and 30°S. [3] [4]

Conservation status

Maireana convexa is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Maireana convexa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Maireana convexa". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 Wilson, Paul G. "Maireana convexa". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  4. 1 2 Wilson, Paul G. (1975). "A Taxonomic Revision of the genus Maireana (Chenopodiaceae)". Nuytsia. 2 (1): 34. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Maireana convexa". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  6. ↑ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 169. ISBN   9780958034180.
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