Hybanthus stellarioides

Hybanthus stellarioides
Flower and leaf of Hybanthus stellarioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Violaceae
Genus:	Hybanthus
Species:	H. stellarioides
Binomial name
Hybanthus stellarioides (Domin) P.I.Forst.
Synonyms[1]
Hybanthus enneaspermus var. stellarioides Domin Afrohybanthus stellarioides (Domin) Flicker

Hybanthus stellarioides, commonly known as spade flower[2] is an annual herb of the genus Hybanthus, native to Australia.

Description

Hybanthus stellarioides is an annual herb to 30 cm (12 in) high, with scattered, sparse hairs on the stem. The leaves are discolorous, recurved and can be entire or toothed. The leaves are 1–8 cm (0.39–3.15 in) long and 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) wide.[1]

Flowers are solitary with petals orange or yellow in colour. The prominent lower petal is spathulate. The upper and lateral petals are linear-oblong 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long. The capsule is 5.5–7.5 mm (0.22–0.30 in) long, enclosing 5-10 seeds.[1] Flowering period is summer.[2]

Taxonomy

Hybanthus stellarioides was described by K. Domin in 1928 as Hybanthus enneaspermus var. stellarioides,[3] but in 1993 was named Hybanthus stellarioides by P.I. Forster.[4]

Habitat and ecology

Hybanthus stellarioides is found in sandy areas in eucalypt dominated communities. It is widespread in New South Wales along the North coast and Central Coast. It is also found along the Queensland east coast.[1]

See also

• Hybanthus genus

References

1. "Hybanthus stellarioides". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
2. Wrigley, John W; Fagg, Murray (2001). Australian Native Plants (4th ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Reed New Holland. p. 166.
3. "Hybanthus enneaspermus var. stellarioides". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
4. "Hybanthus stellarioides". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 17 April 2019.