Tetratheca juncea
| 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.
Description
[edit]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]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]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]
References
[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Black-eyed Susan - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
- ^ "Digital Collections - Pictures - Raper, George, 1769-1796. [Pink bells (Tetratheca juncea) and Senecio moth or Magpie moth (Nyctemera amica)] [picture]". nla.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
- ^ "Tetratheca Juncea - Eraring Energy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
- ^ "Tetratheca juncea. | Newcastle Herald". theherald.com.au. 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2016-07-24.