- Dracophyllum secundum
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Dracophyllum secundum 
Dracophyllum at Blackheath, Blue Mountains National Park, Australia Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Ericales Family: Ericaceae Genus: Dracophyllum Species: Dracophyllum secundum Binomial name Dracophyllum secundum
R.Br.Synonyms - Epacris secunda (R.Br.) Poir.
- Dracophyllum secundum f. rubrorosea Domin
- Prionotes secunda (R.Br.) Spreng.
Dracophyllum secundum is a prostrate to semi-erect shrub found in eastern Australia. It occurs from as far south as Pigeon House Mountain north to Kendall, New South Wales on the mid north coast. A common plant in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Found as far west as Blackheath.[1] Often noticed by bushwalkers for the attractive flowers and arching foliage. The specific epithet secundum means "arranged on one side only".
The habitat is moist rocky areas and wet cliff faces, usually on sandstone.[2] Sites are nutrient poor with permanent moisture. The range of altitude is from sea level to 1100 metres above sea level, with an average annual rainfall between 900 mm and 1600 mm.
The shrub is around 60 cm tall with narrow crowded leaves with pointed tips. Leaves are 12 cm long by 1 cm wide, smooth edged or slightly toothed.
Flowering occurs mainly between July to October. Being pink and white. Bell shaped flowers are 6 to 8 mm long, appearing on a long raceme. The fruit is a capsule, around 5 mm in diameter. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water and gravity.
This plant first appeared in scientific literature in the Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae in the year 1810, authored by Robert Brown.
References
- ^ "Dracophyllum secundum". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Dracophyllum~secundum. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ^ Alan Fairley – Wildflowers of Sydney & adjoining areas ISBN 187647338X page 111
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