Westringia brevifolia

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Westringia brevifolia
Westringia brevifolia 1c.JPG
Flowers
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Westringia
Species:
W. brevifolia
Binomial name
Westringia brevifolia
Benth., 1834
Map.Westringia brevifolia.jpg
Known distribution of Westringia brevifolia (in blue)
Synonyms
  • Westringia brevifolia var. raleighii(B.Boivin) W.M.Curtis
  • Westringia raleighiiB.Boivin
  • Westringia rosmariniformis var. brevifolia(Benth.) Domin
Inflorescence of W. brevifolia, photograph courtesy of Robert Wiltshire. Westbrev 0002.jpg
Inflorescence of W. brevifolia, photograph courtesy of Robert Wiltshire.

Westringia brevifolia Benth., commonly referred to as Greater Shortleaf Westringia is member of the Lamiaceae (sometimes referred to as Labiatae) family, subfamily, Prosterantheroideae and one of four Westringia species native Tasmania, Australia. [1] [2] [3] This evergreen shrub somewhat resembles rosemary and is similar in appearance to another Tasmanian species W. rigida , but can be distinguished by its shorter calyx lobes [3]

Contents

Description

The leaves are a medium green, either elliptic-lanceolate or oblong on shape with a softly pointed tip and shortly revolute margins. They are usually 6-8mm (0.24-0.31 in) long by 1.2-

3mm (0.05-0.12 in) wide, emerging from white stems in whorls of four, with a silver-white abaxial surface and densely appressed hairs covering the leaves and stems. [3] [2] Conspicuous, insect attracting flowers appear late Winter to Summer [3] [4] [5] with white to mauve petals and medium pink markings on the throat. [6] Influences are asymmetric and pedicellate, with solitary flowers emerging in the axils of new growth. [3] The corolla consists of five fused petals that are twice as long as the calyx and covered in sparse hairs. The lobes are narrow with two slightly wider petals at the top of the flower forming the upper lip and three narrower ones forming the lower lip. Calyxes are persistent and narrow-triangular with a tapered end, 5-6mm (0.20-0.24in) in length and over half as long as the tube. [3] The fruit consists of four, reticulate-rugose nutlets encased in a dry schizocarp, appearing after flowering, usually still encased by the calyx. [6] [2] Reproductive parts consist of four stamens, with slightly pink-brown anthers, and a white pistil. The upper two stamens are fertile, while the lower two stamens are infertile, or staminode. [7]

Taxonomy

Written accounts of W. brevifolia first appeared in English botanist, George Bentham’s Labiatarum Genera et Species 5. in the year 1834. The name has changed slightly over the

years, going by both Westringia rosmariniformis and Westringia raleighii, but has been recorded in the Australian Plant census as W. brevifolia since 2010. [8] [9]

Subspecies

Westringia brevifolia var. raleighii, commonly known as Coast Westringia, is a dense shrub with limited distribution, growing slightly larger than the main form at 1.5m (4.92ft) by 1.5m (4.92ft) with white flowers during the summer months. [10] [3] [11] Leaves are 6-8mm (0.24-0.31in) long and 3.5mm (0.14in) wide. [3] Calyxes are roughly the same size as the standard variety at c. 6mm (0.24in). (4). Var. raleighii has a limited distribution and is listed as an endangered species under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. [12]

Cultivation

A popular shrub in landscaping with many cultivated varieties such as ‘Lilac and Lace’, a varigated variety growing up to 1.5m (4.91 in) high by 1.5m (4.91 in) wide with pale leaves, green in the centre with cream coloured margins (hairs absent), and mauve flowers from Summer to Winter; [11] [4] and ‘Silver Lining’, which thrives in dry coastal areas, also growing c. 1.5m wide, however in contrast to other varieties, in grows in a rather prostrate form. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Westringia</i> Genus of Australian shrubs

Westringia is a genus of Australian shrubs. As with other members of the mint family their upper petal is divided into two lobes. There are four stamens - the upper two are fertile while the lower two are reduced to staminodes. The leaves are in whorls of 3 or 4.

<i>Correa alba</i> Species of flowering plant

Correa alba, commonly known as white correa, is a species of shrub that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has egg-shaped to more or less circular leaves, erect white flowers arranged singly or in groups on short side branches, and green fruit.

<i>Thryptomene micrantha</i> Species of plant

Thryptomene micrantha, commonly known as ribbed thryptomene, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a spreading to erect shrub with egg-shaped leaves, the narrower end towards the base, and white flowers with five petals and five stamens.

<i>Correa aemula</i> Species of plant

Correa aemula, commonly known as the hairy correa, is a species of shrub that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has broadly heart-shaped leaves arranged in opposite pairs, green or greyish green, pendent flowers arranged singly or in pairs and ageing to mauve-purple.

<i>Olearia floribunda</i> Species of plant

Olearia floribunda, commonly known as heath daisy-bush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is an upright, spreading shrub with egg-shaped leaves and white and yellow or mauve, daisy-like inflorescences.

Westringia cremnophila, commonly known as Snowy River westringia, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, a rare shrub that is endemic to Victoria, Australia. It is a small shrub with leaves mostly in groups of three and white flowers.

<i>Westringia eremicola</i> Species of plant

Westringia eremicola, commonly known as slender westringia or slender western rosemary, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a small shrub, with narrow leaves and pink, mauve to white flowers.

<i>Prostanthera saxicola</i> Species of flowering plant

Prostanthera saxicola is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a shrub with linear to elliptic leaves and white to mauve flowers arranged in leaf axils.

<i>Trochocarpa thymifolia</i>

Trochocarpa thymifolia is a species of flowering plant from the family Ericacae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is a widespread alpine and subalpine shrub with small leaves, pink to red flowers and blue to purple fruit. Originally described by botanist Robert Brown in 1810, it is a widespread Tasmanian endemic that inhabits the state's mountain regions.

<i>Baeckea gunniana</i> Species of flowering plant

Baeckea gunniana, commonly known as alpine baeckea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to alpine and sub-alpine areas of south-eastern Australia. It is a densely-branched shrub with egg-shaped to oblong leaves and small white flowers with four to six stamens.

<i>Philotheca brucei</i> Species of shrub

Philotheca brucei is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a shrub with cylindrical leaves grooved along the top and in spring, white to pink or mauve flowers with five egg-shaped petals.

Leptospermum riparium, commonly known as riverine tea-tree, is a species of straggling shrub that is endemic to Tasmania. It has flaky bark, crowded, lance-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, relatively large white flowers and fruit that remain on the plant when mature. It grows on river banks in rainforest.

<i>Westringia rigida</i> Species of shrub

Westringia rigida is a shrub in the Lamiaceae family that is endemic to Australia. and

<i>Coprosma moorei</i> Species of plant

Coprosma moorei, commonly known as blue matcurrant or turquoise coprosma, is a small, mat forming, prostrate shrub in the Rubiaceae family. It is native to highland areas of Tasmania and Eastern Victoria.

<i>Westringia longifolia</i> Species of shrub

Westringia longifolia, commonly known as long-leaved westringia, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to southeastern Australia. It is a small shrub, with linear leaves and mostly white flowers.

<i>Westringia amabilis</i> Species of shrub

Westringia amabilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and grows in New South Wales and Queensland. It is a small shrub with ovate-shaped leaves and light mauve to white flowers and brownish spots in the throat.

<i>Westringia blakeana</i> Species of flowering plant

Westringia blakeana is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and grows in New South Wales and Queensland. It is a small shrub with mauve to whitish flowers with brown spots and leaves arranged in whorls.

<i>Westringia angustifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Westringia angustifolia, commonly known as scabrous westringia, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is a small, upright shrub with mauve or white flowers.

<i>Westringia acifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Westringia acifolia is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a compact shrub with linear to needle-shaped leaves and white to cream flowers.

Epacris apsleyensis is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to a small area of Tasmania. It is an erect shrub with hairy branchlets, lance-shaped to elliptic leaves and tube-shaped flowers with white petals.

References

  1. ↑ "Westringia brevifolia Benth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Key to Tasmanian Dicots". www.utas.edu.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Curtis, Winifred M. (1981). The Student's Flora of Tasmania: Part 3. Tasmania: T. J. Hughes. pp. 554–555.
  4. 1 2 3 "Westringia brevifolia 'Lilac and Lace' – Coastal Rosemary | Gardening With Angus". www.gardeningwithangus.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  5. ↑ Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2016). Epacris stuartii (Southport heath) Conservation advice: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Retrieved 09 March 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Profile". profiles.ala.org.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  7. ↑ Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent; Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co. London, 4th ed 1928.
  8. ↑ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Westringia brevifolia". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "Australian Plant Census". CHAH (2010). 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Herbaria, jurisdiction:Australian Government Departmental Consortium;corporateName:Council of Heads of Australasian. "Partners". avh.ala.org.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Plant list by botanical name - W". Plants of Tasmania Nursery. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  12. ↑ Rudman, T., Horton, B.M. and Balmer, J. 2008. Monitoring Dry Coastal Vegetation in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Part 1 Monitoring Priorities, Nature Conservation Report 2008 / 1, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania
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