Species of shrub
Styphelia tecta is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a shrub with egg-shaped to broadly lance-shaped leaves and white, tube-shaped flowers with bearded lobes.
Description
Styphelia tecta is a shrub that typically grows up to 30 cm (12 in) high and has a thick, woody trunk has many thick stems. The leaves are egg-shaped to broadly lance-shaped, almost overlapping, 13–19 mm (0.51–0.75 in) long with a short, sharply-pointed tip. The flowers are scarcely longer than the leaves, with bracteoles nearly 4 mm (0.16 in) long at the base. The sepals are 8.5–11 mm (0.33–0.43 in) long, and the petals are white, 13–15 mm (0.51–0.59 in) long and joined at the base forming a tube with bearded lobes.[2]
Taxonomy
This species was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown who gave it the name Astroloma tectum in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[3][4] In 1824, Kurt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel transferred the species to Styphelia as S. tecta.[5] The specific epithet (tecta) means "hidden" or "concealed", referring to the inconspicuous flowers.[6]
Distribution
This species grows in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Mallee bioregions of southern Western Australia.[7]
Conservation status
Styphelia striata is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[7]
References
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| Styphelia tecta | |
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| Astroloma tectum | |
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