Homoranthus darwinioides

Homoranthus darwinioides, commonly known as fairy bells, is a shrub species in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is endemic to New South Wales in Australia.[2]

Fairy bells
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]
  • Verticordia darwinioides Maiden & Betche
  • Rylstonea darwinioides (Maiden & Betche) R.T.Baker

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.[3] Bracteoles persistent during and after the flowering period. Flowers and fruits sporadically throughout the year, although primarily in spring and summer.[4]

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.[2]

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.[4]

References
  1. "Homoranthus darwinioides". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. "Homoranthus darwinioides". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  3. G.J. Harden. "New South Wales Flora Online: Homoranthus darwinioides". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.


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