Brachyloma delbi
| Brachyloma delbi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Brachyloma |
| Species: | B. delbi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Brachyloma delbi | |
Brachyloma delbi is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, open shrub with linear leaves and pink to red, tube-shaped flowers.
Description[edit]
Brachyloma delbi is an erect, open shrub that usually grows to a height of 1.0–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in) and has sparsely hairy branchlets. The leaves are linear, 4.0–8.0 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long, and 0.75–1.0 mm (0.030–0.039 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) long, with the edges rolled under and a small hard point on the tip. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils on a peduncle 0.75–1.0 mm (0.030–0.039 in) long with 2 sessile bracts 0.9–1.0 mm (0.035–0.039 in) long at the base. The sepals are egg-shaped, 1.5–2.0 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long and 1.0–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) wide. The petals are joined to form an urn-shaped tube 3.0–4.5 mm (0.12–0.18 in) long with broadly triangular lobes about 1 mm (0.039 in) long. Flowering occurs from April to May and the fruit is a spherical drupe 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming[edit]
Brachyloma delbi was first formally described in 2005 by Raymond Cranfield in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected near Kulin in 1995.[2][4] The specific epithet (delbi) is a Noongar word meaning "leaf", referring to the characteristic leaves of this species.[2]
Distribution[edit]
This species of shrub grows in open woodland and is only known from the type location in the Mallee bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[3]
Conservation status[edit]
Brachyloma delbi is listed as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Brachyloma delbi". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Cranfield, Raymond J. (2005). "Two new species of Brachyloma (Epacridaceae) from the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia". Nuytsia. 15 (3): 333–334. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "Brachyloma delbi". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Brachyloma delbi". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 19 September 2023.