Myoporum bateae
| Myoporum bateae | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Myoporum |
| Species: | M. bateae |
| Binomial name | |
| Myoporum bateae F.Muell. | |
Myoporum bateae is sweet-smelling glabrous shrub in the family Scrophulariaceae endemic to the south coast of New South Wales.[1] Although it is sometimes used as an ornamental[2] it is rare in nature, although not endangered at present.[3]
Description
M. bateae is a pyramid-shaped, sweet-smelling shrub to about 5 metres with one to a few straight main stems and slender horizontal branches with a few to many small, wart-like tubercles. The leaves are narrow, 4.5 - 15 cm long, thin and soft with toothed edges and dotted with many small oil glands. The foliage is "rather sparse with the leaves elegantly curved downwards from the branchlets". Flowering occurs from September to November when there are clusters of 3 - 10 flowers along the branchlets. The petals are pale purple and although each flower is only about 5 - 6 mm in diameter, they can be so numerous that the plant "appears to be sprinkled with snow". The fruits are hard and dry (unlike other Myoporum species) and about 2 mm long.[4]
Taxonomy and naming
The species was named by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1882 from specimens collected by Mary Harriet Bate.[5] Within a few years of describing it, he relegated M. bateae to a synonym of M. floribundum. It is only relatively recently that it was recognised as a separate species again. The two species are closely related but M. bateae can be distinguished by the lack of teeth on the leaf edges (M. floribundum lacks them), the slight pink-purple colour of the leaves (M. floribundum flowers are pure white). M. floribundum leaves are also threadlike and tend to hang vertically.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The species is sporadically distributed on the south coast of New South Wales from the Nepean River to Mount Gulaga. It is mostly found in tall Eucalyptus forest in steep mountain gullies on clay.[4]
Propagation and cultivation
M. bateae can be grown from cuttings which strike within two months. Plants grow best in a cool, moist, semi-shaded position on a rich loam or clay. It is moderately frost resistant and can be pruned to shape.[4]
References
- ↑ "Plantnet: National Herbarium of NSW". Royal Botanic Gardens NSW. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ↑ Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed. ed.). Sydney: Collins. pp. 272, (facing) 257). ISBN 0002165759.
- ↑ "Australian native Plants Society (Australia)". October 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Crisp, Michael (1986). "Growing native Plants". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ↑ Rigby, Rebecca; Walsh, Neville (21 June 2012). "Mary Harriet Bate". Encyclopedia of Australian Science. Retrieved 10 January 2015.