Sclerolaena birchii, commonly known as galvanised burr, is a perennial shrub native to inland Australia.[1]
Description
Sclerolaena birchii grows to around 1 m in height and diameter,[2] branches are hairy with obovate to narrow-obovate leaves that can grow from 5- 15mm long.[3][4] Leaves are shortly petiolate, flat and long.[4] Fruiting perianth is hard, occurs obliquely, elliptic, 2-3mm in length,[3] usually 5 spines present, divergent, the 3 abaxial spines are longer (6-15mm), the 2 adaxial spines usually 1-2mm long.[5] Persistent hair bases cause the base of the spine creates a rough texture; seed is erect.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Spines of the Sclerolaena birchii fruit
Sclerolaena birchii can be found as isolated individuals or dense stands, where there are coarse sandy soils, or duplex soils.[6] The galvanised burr often occurs near a few vegetation communities such as: bimble box, mulga and cypress pine.[6]Sclerolaena birchii is distributed throughout western NSW and has been found in VIC and QLD.[5]Sclerolaena birchii is considered to be near threatened in the Northern Territory, least concern in Queensland, and of least concern in Victoria.[7]
Taxonomy
Sclerolaena birchii is a member of Caryophyllales order which is estimated to contain around 12,500 species.[8] A number of Caryophyllales species are characterised by extreme drought and cold tolerance.[8] In some literature Sclerolaena birchii is classified under the Chenopodiaceae family and in other literature it is classified under the Amaranthaceae family.[9] The relationship between the Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae remains unclear.[10] The plant belongs to the genus Sclerolaena, which comprises low shrubs and herbs and has around 66 species that occur in semi-arid regions of Australia.[11]
Recordings of Sclerolaena birchii from The Australasian Virtual Herbarium
Sclerolaena birchii branch
Sclerolaena birchii shrub
References
^Jacobs, S. W. L. (1999). "Sclerolaena birchii". PlantNet - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
^Brooke, G.; McGarva, L. (1998). The Glove Box Guide to Plants of the NSW Rangelands. NSW Agriculture.
^ abcJessop, J.P.; Toelken, H.R. (1986). Flora of South Australia. Part 1 Lycopodiaceae - Rosaceae. Adelaide: South Australian Government Printing Division.
^ abHarden, G.J. (1990). Flora of New South Wales (Revised edition, Volume 1 ed.). University of New South Wales Press Ltd.
