Androcalva bivillosa

Androcalva bivillosa
Conservation status
Declared rare (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Androcalva
Species:	A. bivillosa
Binomial name
Androcalva bivillosa C.F.Wilkins[1]
Synonyms[1]
Commersonia bivillosa C.F.Wilkins MS Rulingia crispa auct. non (Turcz.) Turcz.

Androcalva bivillosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a prostrate, spreading shrub with clusters of 3 to 9 white to pink flowers.

Description

Androcalva bivillosa is a prostrate shrub that typically grows up to 40 cm (16 in) high, 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) wide, its stems densely covered with both star-shaped and glandular hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped, elliptic or oblong, 6–22 mm (0.24–0.87 in) long and 3–16 mm (0.12–0.63 in) wide on a petiole 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) long with stipules 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) long at the base. The tip of the leaves is rounded, the edges are irregularly serrated and wavy, the upper surface is dark green and glossy, the lower surface densely covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged in groups of 3 to 9 on a peduncle 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long, with narrow bracts 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long at the base. The flowers are 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) in diameter with 5 white petal-like sepals with a red base, and 5 rounded petals with a yellowish, stalked base. There are 3 staminodes between each pair of stamens, the central one egg-shaped and the other two linear. Flowering occurs from July to October.[2]

Taxonomy

Androcalva bivillosa was first formally described in 2011 by Carolyn Wilkins in Australian Systematic Botany from specimens collected from near Northampton in 2003.[3] The specific epithet (bivillosa) means "two villous", referring to the two different types of hairs on the plant.[2][4]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows in kwongan woodland and remnant roadside vegetation in only 3 known locations near Northampton and Ajana in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[2][5]

Conservation status

Androcalva bivillosa is listed as "threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[5] meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[6]

References

1. "Androcalva bivillosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
2. Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide. Victoria: Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. pp. 100–101. ISBN 9780646839301.
3. "Androcalva bivillosa". APNI. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
4. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 147. ISBN 9780958034180.
5. "Androcalva bivillosa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
6. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 9 April 2023.