Maireana platycarpa

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

Maireana platycarpa, commonly known as shy bluebush, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae, and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a brittle, much-branched shrub with woolly branches, linear to almost terete or boat-shaped leaves, bisexual, woolly flowers arranged singly, and a pale golden fruiting perianth with a thin, woolly horizontal wing.

Contents

Description

Maireana platycarpa is a brittle, much-branched shrub that typically grows to a height of 10–60 cm (3.9–23.6 in), its branches covered with woolly hairs. Its leaves are usually arranged in opposite pairs, linear to almost terete or boat-shaped and sessile, 7–12 mm (0.28–0.47 in) long and covered with silky hairs. The flowers are bisexual and arranged singly and densely covered with woolly hairs. The fruiting perianth is flattened, pale gold when dry with a flat or slightly convex tube 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) in diameter, and a flat wing continuous with the tube, usually 15–23 mm (0.59–0.91 in) in diameter, and more or less woolly with a single slit. [3] [4]

Taxonomy

Maireana platycarpa was first formally described in 1975 by Paul G. Wilson in the journal Nuytsia from specimens he collected 80 km (50 mi) north of Laverton in 1968. [4] [5] The specific epithet (platycarpa) means 'wide-fruited'. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Shy bluebush usually grows in saline areas but also on the rocky slopes of hills, and is widespread in the Avon Wheatbelt, Carnarvon, Coolgardie, Gascoyne, Great Victoria Desert, Murchison, Pilbara and Yalgoo bioregions of Western Australia. [3] [2]

Conservation status

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

References

  1. ↑ "Maireana platycarpa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Maireana platycarpa". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 Wilson, Paul G. "Maireana platycarpa". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 Wilson, Paul G. (1975). "A Taxonomic Revision of the genus Maireana (Chenopodiaceae)". Nuytsia. 2 (1): 42–43. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Maireana platycarpa". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  6. ↑ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 288. ISBN   9780645629538.
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