Lasiopetalum

Lasiopetalum (velvet bushes) is a genus in the family Malvaceae containing around 35 species of shrub, which are native to Australia.

Lasiopetalum
Lasiopetalum behrii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Tribe: Lasiopetaleae
Genus: Lasiopetalum
Sm.
Species

See text.

It is allied to the genera Guichenotia and Thomasia. The greatest diversity of species is in Western Australia,[1] where 24 species are found of which 8 are endemic to the region.[2] Species occur in lowland sclerophyll forest and heathland habitats.[1]

Taxonomy

The genus was first defined in 1798 by James Edward Smith, who did not designate a type species.[3] The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek word lasios "hairy", and the Botanical Greek petalon "petal", and refers to the hairy calyx.[1] Lasiopetalum was previously classified in the family Sterculiaceae, however that family has been sunk into an expanded Malvaceae. Within the family, it gives its name to its tribe Lasiopetaleae, which contains about ten genera, located mostly in Australia. It is closely related to Guichenotia, although the exact relationship and genus delineation is unclear pending further research.[4]

Description

Most species are spreading or prostrate many-branched shrubs. Commonly known as velvet bushes, they derive their common name from the pubescent (finely-furred) nature of the stems, leaves and flowers. Their leaves are generally arranged alternately on the stems. The flowerheads are either axillary or terminal. The flowers are small, the five-lobed calyces are hairy and the petals tiny.[1]

The genus is rarely cultivated, although many species have flushes of attractive reddish hairy new growth, and several were cultivated in England in the 19th century.[1]

Species

Species include:

  • Lasiopetalum angustifolium W.Fitzg. (narrow-leaved lasiopetalum)
  • Lasiopetalum baueri Steetz (slender velvet bush)
  • Lasiopetalum behrii F.Muell. (pink velvet-bush)
  • Lasiopetalum bracteatum (Endl.) Benth. (Helena velvet bush)
  • Lasiopetalum compactum Paust
  • Lasiopetalum cordifolium Endl.
  • Lasiopetalum dielsii E.Pritz.
  • Lasiopetalum discolor Hook.
  • Lasiopetalum drummondii Benth.
  • Lasiopetalum ferrugineum (Sm.) Andrews
  • Lasiopetalum fitzgibbonii F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum floribundum Benth. (free-flowering lasiopetalum)
  • Lasiopetalum glabratum Paust
  • Lasiopetalum indutum Steud.
  • Lasiopetalum joyceae BlLakely
  • Lasiopetalum lineare Paust
  • Lasiopetalum longistamineum Maiden & Betche
  • Lasiopetalum macrophyllum Graham (shrubby velvet bush)
  • Lasiopetalum maxwellii F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum membranaceum (Steud.) Benth.
  • Lasiopetalum membraniflorum F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum micranthum Hook.f.
  • Lasiopetalum microcardium E.Pritz.
  • Lasiopetalum molle Benth. (soft-leaved lasiopetalum)
  • Lasiopetalum monticola Paust
  • Lasiopetalum ogilvieanum F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum oldfieldii F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum oppositifolium F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum parviflorum Rudge
  • Lasiopetalum parvuliflorum F.Muell.
  • Lasiopetalum quinquenervium Turcz.
  • Lasiopetalum rosmarinifolium (Turcz.) Benth.
  • Lasiopetalum rotundifolium Paust
  • Lasiopetalum rufum R.Br. ex Benth.
  • Lasiopetalum schulzenii (F.Muell.) Benth.
  • Lasiopetalum x tepperi F.Muell.

References
  1. Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1993). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation:Volume 6 - K-M. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. pp. 48–49. ISBN 0-85091-589-9.
  2. "Lasiopetalum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  3. "Lasiopetalum Sm". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. C.F. Wilkins; J.A. Chapill (2003). "Taxonomic revision of Guichenotia (Lasiopetaleae: Malvaceae s.l. or Sterculiaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 16 (3): 323–60. doi:10.1071/SB02015.
  • Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. "Lasiopetalum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Retrieved 2007-09-10.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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