Nematolepis wilsonii

Nematolepis wilsonii
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Nematolepis
Species: N. wilsonii
Binomial name
Nematolepis wilsonii
(N.G.Walsh & Albr.) Paul G. Wilson[1]
Synonyms

Phebalium wilsonii Benth.

Nematolepis wilsonii (Shiny Nematolepis) is an endangered shrub or small tree species which is endemic to Victoria in Australia. It may grow up to 10 metres tall and has mottled bark. The shiny green leaves are 30 to 80 mm long and 5 to 15 mm wide, and have silvery scales underneath. Star-shaped white flowers are produced in groups of 1 to 9 in the leaf axils in spring.[2]

The species was first formally described in 1988 and named Phebalium wilsonii[1] The species was transferred to the genus Nematolepis by Paul G. Wilson in 2003.[1]

The species is listed as "vulnerable" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and "threatened" under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.[2] The only known population, near Marysville was destroyed by the Black Saturday bushfires. Plants were subsequently established in a nearby catchment using seed from the Millennium Seed Bank.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Phebalium wilsonii". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Anna H. Murphy; Matt White; Judy Downe (November 2006). "National Recovery Plan for the Shiny Nematolepis Nematolepis wilsonii". Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  3. "Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership – Victoria". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2009-12-08.