Diplolaena grandiflora

Wild Rose
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Rutaceae
Genus:	Diplolaena
Species:	D.grandiflora
Binomial name
Diplolaena grandiflora Desf.

Diplolaena grandiflora, commonly known as Wild Rose, is a shrub which is endemic to Western Australia.

Description

Diplolaena grandiflora grows to between 0.5 and 3 metres high and has an erect habit. In a period between late autumn and spring, it produces showy, upright or pendant flowers . These have a cluster of red stamens in the centre, surrounded by pinkish-red bracts. The leaves are ovate and are up to 5 cm in length and are dark green on the top and downy on the undersides.

Distribution

Diplolaena grandiflora occurs on limestone outcrops and ridges in an area between Geraldton and North West Cape.

Taxonomy

Despite its common name of "Wild Rose", it is not closely related to the rose, but rather it is placed in the family Rutaceae.

The type specimen was collected in 1801 from Dirk Hartog Island during a French voyage of exploration to New Holland, captained by Jacques Hamelin and Nicholas Baudin. The specimen was brought back to France and described by René Desfontaines in 1817, who gave it the specific epithet of grandiflora meaning "large-flowered".

Cultivation

Propagation is by cuttings or from seed. It prefers good drainage and part shade and requires pruning to enhance flower production.

References

• Wrigley J.W. and Fagg M. (1979). Australian Native Plants. William Collins Publishers Sydney, Australia. ISBN 0-00-216416-7. 
• Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database, Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra
• FloraBase - the West Australian Flora: Diplolaena grandiflora