Leucopogon opponens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Leucopogon
Species:
L. opponens
Binomial name
Leucopogon opponens
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]

Styphelia opponens F.Muell.

Leucopogon opponens is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, slender shrub with its leaves arranged in opposite pairs, and white, tube-shaped flowers.

Description

Leucopogon opponens is an erect, slender shrub that typically grows to a height of 30–70 cm (12–28 in) and has thin, arching branches. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, 4.0–6.3 mm (0.16–0.25 in) long on a distinct petiole, the edges of the leaves rolled under, and the lower surface with 2 longitudinal furrows. The flowers are arranged on the ends of branches or in leaf axils in short, dense spikes. The bracts are concave and shorter than the bracteoles that are about half as long as the sepals. The sepals are 2.6–3.2 mm (0.10–0.13 in) long and the petals less than 4.2 mm (0.17 in) long, the lobes slightly longer than the petal tube. Flowering mainly occurs from July to October.[2][3]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1867 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Styphelia opponens in Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected near the Phillips River by George Maxwell.[4][5] In 1868, George Bentham transferred the species to Leucopogon as L. opponens in Flora Australiensis.[2][6] The specific epithet (opponens) means "opposing", referring to the arrangement of the leaves.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Leucopogon opponens grows in sand and loamy clay on sandplains in the Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia, and is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Leucopogon opponens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 Bentham, George (1868). Flora Australiensis. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 196. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Leucopogon opponens". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ↑ "Styphelia opponens". APNI. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  5. ↑ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1867). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 6. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. pp. 48–49. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Leucopogon opponens". APNI. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 266. ISBN 9780958034180.
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