Family: Apocynaceae
Rhyncharrhena linearis
Citation:
K.L. Wilson, Telopea 2:38 (1980).
Synonymy: Pentatropis linearis Decne. in A. DC., Prod. 8:536 (1844); R. atropurpurea F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Aust. 1:128 (1859); P. atropurpurea (F. Muell.)Benth., Fl. Aust. 4:329 (1869); P. kempeana F. Muell., Wings' South Sci. Rec. 2:172 (1882); Daemia kempeana (F. Muell.)F. Muell., Syst. Census Aust. Pl. 94 (1882).
Common name: Climbing purple-star.
Description:
Shrub; stems finely ribbed, young growth woolly-pubescent; leaves opposite, shortly petiolate or sessile, distant, linear, c. 11 cm long, 0.5-3 mm wide, midrib prominent below, margins thickened, usually revolute.
Inflorescence axillary, umbels of 3-7 flowers; peduncles filiform, c. 3 cm long; pedicels c. 1.5 cm long, with 6 linear pubescent bracts at the base; calyx almost glabrous; sepals, lanceolate, c. 2 mm long; corolla lobes 5-7 mm long, ovate to narrow-ovate, lobes deeply incised, greenish-yellow becoming purple, margins often ciliate; outer corona a 5-lobed disk, inner corona of 5 laterally compressed segments, apex with appendages 0.5-1 mm long, hyaline or purple.
Follicles slender-fusiform, acute, 8-18 cm long; seeds brown, flat, c. 10 mm long, c. 3 mm wide, with a coma 1.5-3 cm long.
Published illustration:
Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 554.
Distribution:
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A very variable species, widespread in dry areas of Australia.
All mainland States.
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Conservation status:
native
Flowering time: July — Jan.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Author:
Not yet available
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