Acrotriche rigida

Acrotriche rigida is a low growing shrub in the family Ericaceae which grows in "intricately branched and matted clumps"[1] and is endemic to New South Wales.[3]

Acrotriche rigida
Acrotriche rigida habit (Goulburn River NP)
Branching (Wollemi NP)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Acrotriche
Species:
A. rigida
Binomial name
Acrotriche rigida
B.R.Paterson[1][2]
Occurrence data from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Description

Acrotriche rigida is a robust, densely branched shrub, which grows up to 1.5 m high with a corresponding diameter.[2]

The leaves are stiffly spreading and lanceolate (6–11 mm long, 1–1.6 mm wide) and have strongly recurved margins. The leaf itself is whitish, with marked veins (3-5) deeply grooved on the lower surface; petiole 0.8–1 mm long.[2]

The green flowers are usually 4–7 per spike, and have bracteoles which are about 1–1.5 mm long. The sepals 1.4–2.8 mm long and the corolla tube is 2.5–3.5 mm long with lobes 1–1.8 mm long. The plant flowers from July to September.[2]

The ovary has 4-5 compartments and the creamy green fruits are depressed-globose, with a flat top, are about 2.5–3 mm diameter, and are covered in short white hairs, creamy-green.[2]

It is found in dry sclerophyll forest or in scrub on sandstone or granite slopes.[2]

References
  1. Paterson, B.R. (1960) Revision of the genus Acrotriche R.Br. (Epacridaceae). Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 85(1): 82, figs 28-34
  2. Powell, J.M. (1992) PlantNET: Acrotriche rigida. From Flora of NSW 3, National Herbarium of NSW, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Australia.
  3. Govaerts, R. et.al. (2018) Plants of the world online: Acrotriche rigida. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
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