| Adriana quadripartita | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Adriana |
| Species: | A. quadripartita |
| Binomial name | |
| Adriana quadripartita (Labill.) Muell.Arg.[1] |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Adriana bloudowskyana Mull.Arg. ex Pax |
|
Adriana quadripartita (Bitter Bush) is a shrub in the family Euphorbiaceae. The species, which is endemic to southern Australia, has an erect open habit, growing to between 0.5 and 3 metres or more high.[2][3][4]
The lanceloate or ovate leaves are opposite, coarsely toothed and have a glabrous upper surface.[3][5] They are 5 to 10 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide.[5] The male flower spikes are up to 17 cm long.[3] The female flowers, which occur on separate plants, appear in clusters.[5] These are followed by ovoid capsules which are about 1 centimetre in diameter.[2]
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There are two recognised forms, one with wholly glabrous leaves and another pubescent form with leaves which are whitish-tomentose on the underside.
This form, also known as Rare Bitter-bush or Adriana quadripartita sensu stricto, occurs in Western Australia, South Australia and in Victoria where it reaches its eastern limit at Port Phillip heads.[2][4][5] This form is listed as "threatened" in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.[6]
This form, also known as Coast Bitter-bush, is sometimes recognised as a species in its own right - Adriana klotzchii. It occurs on sand dunes along the coast of South Australia and into Victoria as far east as Wilsons Promontory.[3][5] In South Australia, flowers are mostly produced in spring but may appear year-round.[3] This form is a host plant of the Bitter-bush Blue butterfly (Theclinesthes albocincta).[7]
The species can be propagated by cuttings. The pubescent form may be used as a protective screen planting against salt-spray in coastal areas.[8]