Jacksonia scoparia

Jacksonia scoparia, commonly known as dogwood (from its strong odour when burning), is a native species of a pea-flowered, greyish, leafless, broom-like shrub or small tree that occurs in the south east of Queensland, Australia and eastern New South Wales.

Jacksonia scoparia
Flowering Jacksonia scoparia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Jacksonia
Species:
J. scoparia
Binomial name
Jacksonia scoparia
Synonyms[1]

Piptomeris scoparia (R.Br. ex Sm.) E.Greene
Jacksonia macrocarpa Benth.
Viminaria lateriflora Link
Jacksonia lateriflora (Link) R.Br. ex Steudel

Description

Jacksonia scoparia grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching 12 m in height.[2] Its grey bark is rough with furrows.[3]

Taxonomy

Scottish botanist Robert Brown described the dogwood in 1811 in Rees's Cyclopædia, from material sent by John White and George Caley to Kew Garden.[4] The genus name honours George Jackson and the species name is derived from the foliage, which resembles Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius).[5] Jenny Chappill classified it in Group 4 within the genus, along with Jacksonia chappilliae, Jacksonia rhadinoclona and Jacksonia stackhousei—all from eastern Australia.[1]

Dogwood Creek in Queensland was named after the profusion of the plant in the area by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt on 23 October 1844 during his expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington (now Darwin, Northern Territory).[6]

Distribution and habitat

It is often seen growing on high exposed ridges in and around the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park on the Northern Tablelands (New South Wales). The yellow 'pea'-type flowers appear in October and November in racemes from the upper branches.[7]

Uses and cultivation

Its tendency to flower profusely makes J. scoparia an attractive subject for the garden. It was introduced into cultivation in England in 1803. It can be grown in sun or part-shaded positions. During droughts, dogwood has provided a useful fodder that is relished by cattle. Propagation is relatively easy from seed following pre-treatment with boiling water (similar to other members of the pea family). Cuttings also strike reasonably readily.[8]

References
  1. Chappill, Jennifer A.; Wilkins, Carolyn. F; Crisp, Michael D. (2007). "Taxonomic revision of Jacksonia (Leguminosae: Mirbelieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 20 (6): 473–623 [534–35]. doi:10.1071/SB06047.
  2. Wiecek, B. (1990). "Jacksonia scoparia R.Br". Plantnet – New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1996). "Ecology of Sydney Plant Species Part 4: Dicotyledon family Fabaceae" (PDF). Cunninghamia. 4 (4): 552–752 [621]. ISSN 0727-9620. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-05-30.
  4. Brown, Robert (1811). "Jacksonia". Rees's Cyclopædia. Vol. 18. London Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown.
  5. ANBG staff (1972). "Jacksonia scoparia". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. "Dogwood Creek (entry 10268)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  7. Bodkin, Frances (Compiler), Encyclopaedia Botanica - the Essential Reference Guide to Native and Exotic Plants in Australia, Angus and Robertson, North Ryde, 1990, ISBN 0-207-15064-8
  8. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray, Australian Native Plants : Cultivation, Use in Landscaping and Propagation, Reed Books, Kew, Victoria, 1997, ISBN 0-7301-0493-1
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