| Tetratheca juncea | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Elaeocarpaceae |
| Genus: | Tetratheca |
| Species: | T. juncea |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetratheca juncea | |
Tetratheca juncea, commonly known as black-eyed Susan or pink bells, [2] is a small shrub in the family Elaeocarpaceae. Endemic to New South Wales, it is not related to other plants known as Black-eyed Susan around the world.
Tetratheca juncea has a sprawling habit with stems, usually leafless, between 30 and 60 cm long. Stems usually have 2 to 3 narrow wings which can distinguish the plant from other Tetratheca species. Its four petalled flowers face downward and vary from white to pink to dark purple in colour. [1]
Tetratheca juncea reproduces by spreading underground stems up to 50 cm or sexually, however this requires pollination by insects. [1]
It is found largely in the grassy groundcover of low open forest/woodland with a mixed shrub understorey. This plant prefers cooler southerly aspects and well-drained soils, thus often occurring on ridges.
The vulnerable status of T. juncea reflects its confinement to a small area in the northern part of the Sydney Basin bioregion and the southern part of the North Coast bioregion. [3] Within that area, however, the plant is quite plentiful. [4] Larger populations are considered especially important for the conservation of this species. [1]
