Leptospermum anfractum

Leptospermum anfractum is a species of spreading shrub that is endemic to Queensland. It has a smooth, twisted trunk, linear leaves, white flowers borne in leaf axils and bell-shaped to hemispherical fruit. It grows on rocky ridges and cliff edges.

Leptospermum anfractum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Leptospermum
Species:
L. anfractum
Binomial name
Leptospermum anfractum
Occurrence data from AVH

Description

Leptospermum anfractum is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and has a trunk and branches that are smooth, twisted and contorted. The bark is white when new but ages to purplish. The leaves are arranged alternately, more or less sessile, linear in shape, paler on the lower surface, 17–30 mm (0.67–1.18 in) long and 1.5–4.5 mm (0.059–0.177 in) wide. The lower side of the leaves is hairy. The flowers are borne singly or in groups of up to six in leaf axils, each with bracts and bracteoles that fall off before the flower opens. The flowers are 5–7.5 mm (0.20–0.30 in) in diameter on a pedicel 1.5–3 mm (0.059–0.118 in) long with sepals that have hairy edges. The petals are white. Flowering occurs from August to January and the fruit is a thin-walled, bell-shaped to hemispherical capsule about 2 mm (0.079 in) long and 3 mm (0.12 in) wide with the sepals attached.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Leptospermum anfractum was first formally described in 2004 by Anthony Bean who published the description in the journal Telopea.[2][4] The specific epithet (anfractum) is from the Latin anfractus meaning "bending, winding or crooked" referring to the stems and branches.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This leptospermum grows on rocky ridges and cliff lines between Cardwell and Proserpine with a disjunct population near Laura.[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified as of "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[5]

References

  1. "Leptospermum anfractum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  2. Bean, Anthony R. (2004). "Three new species of Leptospermum (Myrtaceae) from Queensland and northern New South Wales". Telopea. 10 (4): 831–832.
  3. "Leptospermum anfractum". Native Plants Queensland, Townsville Branch. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  4. "Leptospermum anfractum". APNI. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  5. "Species profile—Leptospermum anfractum". Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
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