Stylidium longissimum

Taxobox


image_caption =
status = VU
status_system = QLDNCA
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Stylidiaceae
genus = "Stylidium"
subgenus = "Andersonia"
sectio = "Tenella"
species = "S. longissimum"
binomial = "Stylidium longissimum"
binomial_authority = A.R.Bean 2000

"Stylidium longissimum" is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the genus "Stylidium" (family Stylidiaceae). The specific epithet is from the Latin "longissimus", which means "very long" and refers to this species' long capsules that can be up to 15 mm long excluding the sepals. The capsules may be the longest in the genus.Bean, A.R. (2000). A revision of "Stylidium" subg. "Andersonia" (R.Br. ex G.Don) Mildbr. (Stylidiaceae). "Austrobaileya" 5(4): 589-649.]

"S. longissimum" is an annual plant that grows from 16 to 30 cm tall. Elliptical leaves, about 4-14 per plant, are scattered along the elongate, glabrous stem. The leaves are generally 3.5-9.5 mm long and 1.8-5 mm wide. Petioles are nearly absent at 0-0.5 mm long and scapes are completely absent. Inflorescences are 5-20 cm long and produce pink or mauve flowers that bloom in June in the southern hemisphere. "S. longissimum" is endemic to the Cape Melville area of Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland. The populations of "S. longissimum" inhabit an area of less than 30km² and the actual coverage is much less than that, which is why A.R. Bean recommended a conservation status of vulnerable when he described this species in 2000.

Its habitat is recorded as being sandy soils in "Melaleuca viridiflora" woodlands. "S. longissimum" is most closely related to "S. inconspicuum".

See also

* List of "Stylidium" species

References