Opisthiolepis

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Opisthiolepis
Opisthiolepis heterophylla 238832837.jpg
Foliage
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Subfamily: Grevilleoideae
Tribe: Embothrieae
Subtribe: Hakeinae
Genus: Opisthiolepis
L.S.Sm. [3] [4]
Species:
O. heterophylla
Binomial name
Opisthiolepis heterophylla
L.S.Sm. [3] [4]

Opisthiolepis is a monotypic (i.e. containing only one member) genus of trees in the macadamia family Proteaceae. The sole species is Opisthiolepis heterophylla, commonly known as blush silky oak, pink silky oak, brown silky oak or drunk rabbit. It was first described in 1952 and is endemic to a small part of northeastern Queensland, Australia.

Contents

Description

Opisthiolepis heterophylla is an evergreen tree growing up to 30 m (98 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of 75 cm (30 in). [2] [5] [6] The leaves are usually simple on mature trees and oblong to elliptic in shape. They measure up to 23 cm (9.1 in) long by 9 cm (3.5 in) wide and are carried on petioles (leaf stalks) up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long. [5] [7] The leaves are glossy green above and silvery white or brown below. [5] [7] Like many other species in the Protoeaceae family, the leaves vary in shape considerably and may also be compound with up to 18 leaflets. [5]

The inflorescence is a pendant spike produced in the leaf axils [8] It measures up to 15 cm (5.9 in) and carries numerous small flowers in pairs. [5] [7] The flowers are sessile (without a stalk) and glabrous (without hairs) and have 4 white or cream tepals up to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. [5] [7] [8]

The fruit is a green or brown woody follicle measuring about 12 by 3.5 cm (4.7 by 1.4 in) and containing several winged brown seeds. [7] [8]

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first described by the Queensland botanist Lindsay Stuart Smith, based on a number of collections of material during the first half of the 20th century. Most collections were from the Atherton Tablelands with the exception of two – one from Mena Creek and another from the area that is now Kirrama National Park. [6] :80

Smith published his paper, titled "Opisthiolepis, a new genus of Proteaceae from Queensland" in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland in 1952. [3] [6]

The species is reported to share its evolutionary closest correlates with the genera Buckinghamia , Finschia , Grevillea and Hakea in the subtribe Hakeinae. [9] [10] [11] The genetics studies, still at an early stage,[ when? ] suggest Opisthiolepis may represent the continuing living lineage of the ancient branch off from near the base or from before the base of the entire present day subtribe Hakeinae. [9] [11] [12]

Etymology

The genus name Opisthiolepis is derived from the Ancient Greek words ὄπισθεν (ópisthe) meaning back or behind, and λεπίς (lepís) meaning scale or flake. It is a reference to the single nectar gland (scale) in the flower. [8] The species epithet heterophylla is also from Ancient Greek, and is a combination of héteros (héteros), different, and φύλλον (phúllon), leaf, which alludes to the different forms of the juvenile and mature leaves. [8]

Distribution and habitat

Opisthiolepis heterophylla is endemic to northeastern Queensland and is found in the area from near Cardwell north to about Mossman (including the Atherton Tablelands where it is common). [5] [8] It grows in rainforest, on various soil types but grows best on those derived from basalt. [5] [7] The altitudinal range is from near sea level to about 1,100 m (3,600 ft). [7] [8]

Conservation

This species is listed by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern. [1] [2]

Cultivation

The blush silky oak grows quickly in cultivation, one specimen in John Wrigley's garden in Coffs Harbour reaching 6 m (20 ft) high and flowering in four years. [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hakea</i> Genus of plants in the family Proteaceae endemic to Australia

Hakea is a genus of about 150 species of plants in the Family Proteaceae, endemic to Australia. They are shrubs or small trees with leaves that are sometimes flat, otherwise circular in cross section in which case they are sometimes divided. The flowers are usually arranged in groups in leaf axils and resemble those of other genera, especially Grevillea. Hakeas have woody fruit which distinguishes them from grevilleas which have non-woody fruit which release the seeds as they mature. Hakeas are found in every state of Australia with the highest species diversity being found in the south west of Western Australia.

<i>Grevillea robusta</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to eastern Australia

Grevillea robusta, commonly known as the southern silky oak, silk oak or silky oak, silver oak or Australian silver oak, is a flowering plant in the family Proteaceae. It is a tree, the largest species in its genus but is not closely related to the true oaks, Quercus. It is a native of eastern coastal Australia, growing in riverine, subtropical and dry rainforest environments.

<i>Athertonia</i> Monotypic genus of trees in the family Proteaceae

Athertonia is a monotypic genus of plants in the family Proteaceae. The sole described species is Athertonia diversifolia, commonly known as Atherton oak, athertonia, creamy silky oak or white oak. It is endemic to a small part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. A relative of the macadamia, it has potential in horticulture and the bushfood industry.

<i>Musgravea</i> Genus of rainforest tree from north-eastern Queensland

Musgravea is a genus of rainforest tree from north-eastern Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proteaceae</span> Family of flowering plants

The Proteaceae form a family of flowering plants predominantly distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises 83 genera with about 1,660 known species. Australia and South Africa have the greatest concentrations of diversity. Together with the Platanaceae, Nelumbonaceae and in the recent APG IV system the Sabiaceae, they make up the order Proteales. Well-known 'Proteaceae genera include Protea, Banksia, Embothrium, Grevillea, Hakea and Macadamia. Species such as the New South Wales waratah, king protea, and various species of Banksia, Grevillea, and Leucadendron are popular cut flowers. The nuts of Macadamia integrifolia are widely grown commercially and consumed, as are those of Gevuina avellana on a smaller scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grevilleoideae</span> Subfamily of plants in the family Proteaceae, mainly from the Southern Hemisphere

The Grevilleoideae are a subfamily of the plant family Proteaceae. Mainly restricted to the Southern Hemisphere, it contains around 46 genera and about 950 species. Genera include Banksia, Grevillea, and Macadamia.

<i>Alloxylon flammeum</i> Species of tree in the family Proteaceae

Alloxylon flammeum, commonly known as the Queensland tree waratah or red silky oak, is a medium-sized tree of the family Proteaceae found in the Queensland tropical rain forests of northeastern Australia. It has shiny green elliptical leaves up to 18 cm (7.1 in) long, and prominent orange-red inflorescences that appear from August to October, followed by rectangular woody seed pods that ripen in February and March. Juvenile plants have large deeply lobed pinnate leaves. Previously known as Oreocallis wickhamii, the initial specimen turned out to be a different species to the one cultivated and hence a new scientific name was required. Described formally by Peter Weston and Mike Crisp in 1991, A. flammeum was designated the type species of the genus Alloxylon. This genus contains the four species previously classified in Oreocallis that are found in Australasia.

<i>Buckinghamia</i> Genus of trees in the family Proteaceae endemic to north eastern Queensland, Australia

Buckinghamia is a genus of only two known species of trees, belonging to the plant family Proteaceae. They are endemic to the rainforests of the wet tropics region of north eastern Queensland, Australia. The ivory curl flower, B. celsissima, is the well known, popular and widely cultivated species in gardens and parks, in eastern and southern mainland Australia, and additionally as street trees north from about Brisbane. The second species, B. ferruginiflora, was only recently described in 1988.

<i>Grevillea victoriae</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae endemic to New South Wales and Victoria, Australia

Grevillea victoriae, also known as royal grevillea or mountain grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to mountainous regions of south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect to spreading shrub with elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, and pendulous clusters of red to orange flowers.

<i>Cardwellia</i> Monotypic genus of plants in the family Proteaceae

Cardwellia is a monotypic genus in the plant family Proteaceae. The sole described species is Cardwellia sublimis − commonly known as northern silky oak, bull oak or lacewood − which is endemic to the rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia.

<i>Grevillea edelfeltii</i> Species of tree of the family Proteaceae native to north-east Queensland in Australia

Grevillea edelfeltii, commonly known as white oak, is a tree of the family Proteaceae and is native to the rainforests of north-east Queensland in Australia and to Papua New Guinea.

<i>Telopea oreades</i> Large shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae native to southeastern Australia

Telopea oreades, commonly known as the Gippsland-, mountain- or Victorian waratah, is a large shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae. Native to southeastern Australia, it is found in wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest on rich acidic soils high in organic matter. No subspecies are recognised, though a northern isolated population hybridises extensively with the Braidwood waratah (T. mongaensis). Reaching a height of up to 19 metres, T. oreades grows with a single trunk and erect habit. It has dark green leaves with prominent veins that are 11–28 centimetres (4.3–11 in) long and 1.5–6 cm (0.6–2.4 in) wide. The red flower heads, known as inflorescences, appear in late spring. Each is composed of up to 60 individual flowers.

<i>Alloxylon pinnatum</i> Tree of the family Proteaceae found in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales

Alloxylon pinnatum, known as Dorrigo waratah, is a tree of the family Proteaceae found in warm-temperate rainforest of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales in eastern Australia. It has shiny green leaves that are either pinnate (lobed) and up to 30 cm (12 in) long, or lanceolate (spear-shaped) and up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long. The prominent pinkish-red flower heads, known as inflorescences, appear in spring and summer; these are made up of 50 to 140 individual flowers arranged in corymb or raceme. These are followed by rectangular woody seed pods, which bear two rows of winged seeds.

<i>Hakea lorea</i> Species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae found in central and northern Australia

Hakea lorea, commonly known as bootlace oak or cork tree, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae found in central and northern Australia. It has needle-shape leaves, yellow, white or green flowers and hard corky bark.

<i>Hakea chordophylla</i> Species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae from central and northern Australia

Hakea chordophylla, commonly known as bootlace oak, bootlace tree, corkwood, or bull oak, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae found in central and northern Australia. Bears very showy golden yellow, pale green or cream nectar rich flowers in winter.

<i>Darlingia ferruginea</i> Species of rainforest tree of the family Proteaceae from Northern Queensland

Darlingia ferruginea, commonly known as the brown silky oak, is a rainforest tree of the family Proteaceae from Northern Queensland.

<i>Placospermum</i> Genus of trees

Placospermum is a genus of a single species of large trees, constituting part of the plant family Proteaceae. The species Placospermum coriaceum is endemic to the rainforests of the wet tropics region of northeastern Queensland, Australia. Common names include rose silky oak and plate-seeded oak.

<i>Carnarvonia araliifolia</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae

Carnarvonia araliifolia, commonly known as the red oak, red silky oak, Caledonian oak or elephant's foot, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Carnarvonia, a member of the Proteaceae plant family. It is endemic to the rainforests of northeastern Queensland.

<i>Hakea trineura</i> Species of shrub of the family Proteaceae endemic to Queensland Australia

Hakea trineura is a flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Queensland. The branches and leaves are covered with rusty hairs and the pendulous flowers are greenish-yellow.

<i>Hakea elliptica</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteacea endemic to Western Australia

Hakea elliptica, commonly known as the oval-leaf hakea, is a shrub in the family Proteacea and is endemic to Western Australia. A fast growing adaptable species with ornamental wavy leaves, golden bronze new growth and an abundance of showy white flowers. A good wildlife habitat due to its dense form with foliage to ground level.

References

  1. 1 2 "Species profile—Opisthiolepis heterophylla". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Forster, P., Ford, A., Griffith, S. & Benwell, A. (2020). "Opisthiolepis heterophylla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T118152028A122769076. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T118152028A122769076.en . Retrieved 9 November 2023.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 3 "Opisthiolepis heterophylla". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government . Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Opisthiolepis heterophylla L.S.Sm". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Foreman, D.B. (2022). "Opisthiolepis heterophylla". Flora of Australia . Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Smith, Lindsay Stuart (1952). "Opisthiolepis, a new genus of Proteaceae from Queensland". The Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. 62 (9): 79–81. doi: 10.5962/p.351757 . S2CID   257130577 . Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Opisthiolepis heterophylla". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government . Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 418. ISBN   9780958174213.
  9. 1 2 Weston, Peter H.; Barker, Nigel P. (2006). "A new suprageneric classification of the Proteaceae, with an annotated checklist of genera" (PDF). Telopea. 11 (3): 314–344. doi:10.7751/telopea20065733 . Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  10. Sauquet, Hervé; Weston, Peter H.; et al. (6 January 2009). "Contrasted patterns of hyperdiversification in Mediterranean hotspots". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 106 (1): 221–225. Bibcode:2009PNAS..106..221S. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0805607106 . ISSN   0027-8424. PMC   2629191 . PMID   19116275.
  11. 1 2 Mast, Austin R.; Milton, Ethan F.; et al. (1 March 2012). "Time-calibrated phylogeny of the woody Australian genus Hakea (Proteaceae) supports multiple origins of insect-pollination among bird-pollinated ancestors". American Journal of Botany. 99 (3): 472–487. doi: 10.3732/ajb.1100420 . PMID   22378833.
  12. Duchene, David; Bromham, Lindell (13 March 2013). "Rates of molecular evolution and diversification in plants: chloroplast substitution rates correlate with species-richness in the Proteaceae". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 13 (1): 65. Bibcode:2013BMCEE..13...65D. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-65 . ISSN   1471-2148. PMC   3600047 . PMID   23497266.
  13. Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (1991). Banksias, Waratahs and Grevilleas. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. pp. 465–66. ISBN   0-207-17277-3.