Tetratheca juncea

Tetratheca juncea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Oxalidales
Family:Elaeocarpaceae
Genus:Tetratheca
Species: T. juncea
Binomial name
Tetratheca juncea
Sm.

Tetratheca juncea, commonly known as black-eyed Susan or pink bells,[2] is a small shrub in the family Elaeocarpaceae. Endemic to New South Wales, it is not related to other plants known as Black-eyed Susan around the world.

Description

Tetratheca juncea has a sprawling habit with stems, usually leafless, between 30 and 60 cm long. Stems usually have 2 to 3 narrow wings which can distinguish the plant from other Tetratheca species. Its four petalled flowers face downward and vary from white to pink to dark purple in colour.[1]

Tetratheca juncea reproduces by spreading underground stems up to 50 cm or sexually, however this requires pollination by insects.[1]

Distribution and habitat

It is found largely in the grassy groundcover of low open forest/woodland with a mixed shrub understorey. This plant prefers cooler southerly aspects and well-drained soils, thus often occurring on ridges.

The vulnerable status of T. juncea reflects its confinement to a small area in the northern part of the Sydney Basin bioregion and the southern part of the North Coast bioregion.[3] Within that area, however, the plant is quite plentiful.[4] Larger populations are considered especially important for the conservation of this species.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Black-eyed Susan - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  2. ↑ "Digital Collections - Pictures - Raper, George, 1769-1796. [Pink bells (Tetratheca juncea) and Senecio moth or Magpie moth (Nyctemera amica)] [picture]". nla.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  4. ↑ "Tetratheca juncea. | Newcastle Herald". theherald.com.au. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
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