Nematolepis elliptica

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Nematolepis elliptica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Nematolepis
Species:
N. elliptica
Binomial name
Nematolepis elliptica
(Paul G.Wilson) Paul G.Wilson[1]

Nematolepis elliptica, is a small, bushy shrub with white flowers in small clusters from September to November. It is endemic to the south coast of New South Wales.

Description[edit]

Nematolepis elliptica is a small shrub to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high with rounded, scaly, warty branches. The leaves are elliptic or oblong-oval, 20–35 mm (0.79–1.38 in) long, 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide, margins flat, rounded to notched at the apex, papery, smooth on the upper surface, silvery scales on lower surface. The flowers are in groups of 2–5 in short cymes about 5 mm (0.20 in) long, both individual flower stalk and the cyme peduncle are thick and scaly. The small bracts are almost flattened, leaf-like, smaller near apex of branch and discarded early. The sepals triangular shaped, about 1 mm (0.039 in) long, fleshy and mostly smooth. The white petals elliptic shaped, slightly overlap, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and smooth. The dry seed capsule is almost square, about 3 mm (0.12 in) high with a very small triangular point. Flowering occurs from September to November.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy[edit]

This species was first formally described in 1974 by Paul G. Wilson, the description was published in the journal Nuytsia and given the name Phebalium ellipticum.[5][6] In 1998 Paul G. Wilson changed the name to Nematolepis elliptica and the name change was published in the journal Nuytsia.[7][8]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Nematolepis elliptica has a restricted distribution in the ranges east of Cooma in New South Wales. It is found growing in shrubland and forests, usually amid rocky outcrops.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Nematolepis elliptica". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  2. ^ Wilson, Paul G. (1999). Flora of Australia-Volume 26 Meliaceae, Rutaceae, Zygophyllaceae. Canberra/Melbourne: ABRS-Department of Environment & Heritage. p. 450. ISBN 9780643109551.
  3. ^ Wilson, Paul G. "Nematolepis elliptica". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment-Canberra. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b Weston, P.H; Harden, G.J. "Nematolepis elliptica". PlantNET-NSW FLORA ONLINE. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Phebalium ellipticum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  6. ^ Wilson, Paul G. (1974). "A new species of Phebalium from south-eastern New South Wales". Nuytsia. 1 (4). Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Nematolepis elliptica". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  8. ^ Wilson, Paul G. (1998). ", New species and nomenclatural changes in Phebalium and related genera (Rutaceae)". Nuytsia. 12 (2): 278. Retrieved 27 July 2020.