Philotheca spicata

Pepper and Salt
Philotheca spicata in Kalamunda National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Philotheca
Species: P. spicata
Binomial name
Philotheca spicata
(A.Rich.) Paul G.Wilson
Synonyms

Eriostemon spicatus A.Rich.
Eriostemon effusus Turcz.
Eriostemon ebracteatus Endl.
Eriostemon racemosus Endl.

Philotheca spicata, commonly known as Pepper and Salt, is a shrub in the family Rutaceae. The species is endemic to south-west of Western Australia. It usually grows to between 0.2 and 0.6 metres in height, and produces pink flowers from June to November in its native range.[1]

The species was first described in 1834 by French botanist Achille Richard who gave it the name Erisotemon spicatum, later amended to Eriostemon spicatus. It was transferred to the genus Philotheca by Paul G. Wilson in 1998.[2]

Distribution

The species occurs for the most part within the Southwest Australia biogeographic region, although an outlying population occurs in the nearby Coolgardie region.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Philotheca spicata". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia.
  2. "Philotheca spicata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
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