Persoonia juniperina

prickly geebung
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Persoonia
Species:	P. juniperina
Binomial name
Persoonia juniperina Labill.

Persoonia juniperina, commonly known as the prickly geebung, is a shrub native to New South Wales in eastern Australia. It was first collected in Tasmania, and described by French naturalist Jacques Labillardière in 1805.^[1] Within the genus Persoonia, P. juniperina 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.^[2] The species itself is variable across its range and separate subspecies have been recognised in the past, although the latest consensus is that the change is uniform enough not to warrant status for subspecies.^[3] It grows as a small spreading shrub 0.3 to 2 m (1-7 ft) high, and has smooth bark, hairy new branches and leaves. The narrow leaves measure 0.8 to 3.5 cm (0.3-1.6 in) long, and 1.5 mm wide and are linear in shape. The yellow flowers appear in summer and autumn (December to May).^[3] As with all persoonias, the flowers are followed by the appearance of small fleshy fruit. These may have been eaten by aborigines.^[4] A field study manipulating pollination showed P. juniperina was partly self-compatible but cross-pollination led to greater fruit production.^[5]

Persoonia juniperina is found across Tasmania and on mainland southeastern Australia, from Green Cape on the New South Wales far south coast through Victoria and into southeastern South Australia as far as Adelaide. The habitat is sclerophyll forest and heath to an altitude of 700 m (2500 ft).^[3] It appears to be vulnerable to disturbance.^[4]

References