Homoranthus darwinioides
Homoranthus darwinioides, commonly known as fairy bells,[2] is a shrub species in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is endemic to New South Wales in Australia.[3]
| Fairy bells | |
|---|---|
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| Homoranthus darwinioides in Maranoa Gardens | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Homoranthus |
| Species: | H. darwinioides |
| Binomial name | |
| Homoranthus darwinioides | |
 | |
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
Plants grow to between 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft) high and have leaves that are 2–11 millimetres (0.08–0.4 in) in width. Pendulous flowers appear in pairs in spring.[4] Bracteoles persistent during and after the flowering period. Flowers and fruits sporadically throughout the year, although primarily in spring and summer.[5]
Taxonomy and naming
The species was first formally described in 1898, based on plant material collected near Dubbo, and given the name Verticordia darwinoides. It was transferred to the genus Homoranthus in 1922 by botanist Edwin Cheel.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Scattered from just north Dubbo to west on Denman in central New South Wales. Grows in deep sandy soils over sandstone in shrubby woodland.[5]
Conservation status
Fairy bells is a priority species under the Threatened Species Strategy and a 'keep watch' species under the NSW Government Saving our Species program. An uncommon species considered vulnerable by Briggs and Leigh(1996) and given a ROTAP conservation code of 3VCa.[5]
References
- "Homoranthus darwinioides". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- "Homoranthus darwinoides". NSW Government Threatened Species. NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- "Homoranthus darwinioides". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- G.J. Harden. "New South Wales Flora Online: Homoranthus darwinioides". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- Copeland, Lachlan M.; Craven, Lyn A.; Bruhl, Jeremy J. (2011). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 24 (6): 351. doi:10.1071/SB11015.