| Prostrate geebung | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Persoonia |
| Species: | P. chamaepitys |
| Binomial name | |
| Persoonia chamaepitys A.Cunn. |
|
Persoonia chamaepitys, commonly known as the prostrate- or mountain geebung,[1] is a shrub endemic to New South Wales in eastern Australia. It was first described by Allan Cunningham in 1825.[2] The origin of the type specimen is unknown.[3] The species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words chamae "ground hugging", and pitys "pine", from resemblance of the foliage to that of pines.[1] Within the genus Persoonia, P. chamaepitys is classified in the lanceolata group, a group of 54 closely related species with similar flowers but very different foliage. These species will often interbreed with each other where two members of the group occur.[4]
A prostrate shrub, Persoonia chamaepitys reaches to around 20 cm (8 in) high and spreads up to 1-2 m (3-7 ft) across. The new growth is hairy. The tiny spine-like leaves measure 0.7–1.9 cm long and 0.5–1 mm wide. Flowering occurs over spring and summer (October to January), the small yellow flowers arising from or near the ends of branchlets.[3][5]
Persoonia chamaepitys is restricted to central New South Wales from the Upper Goulburn Valley south through the Blue Mountains and Woranora Plateau and into the Budawang Ranges. It is common around Katoomba to Mt Victoria. It grows at an altitude of 360 to 1100 m (1200-3600 ft), on sandstone-based soils in heath or dry sclerophyll forest.[3][5]
The species is sometimes seen in cultivation, but has proven difficult to propagate from either seed or cuttings. It makes an attractive rockery plant, its bright green foliage and yellow flowers are features.[1]