Marianthus mollis

Marianthus mollis is an erect, spreading, silky-hairy shrub that typically grows to a height of 50–60 cm (20–24 in), the stems usually obscured by the leaves. Its leaves are sessile, egg-shaped, 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) long and 7–11 mm (0.28–0.43 in) wide and often have a reddish border. The flowers are borne singly in leaf axils on a hairy peduncle 18–25 mm (0.71–0.98 in) long. The sepals are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long, dark blue and hairy. The five petals are purplish-blue, spatula-shaped and joined at the base, 10–18 mm (0.39–0.71 in) long with fine purple striations that darken as the flowers age. Flowering occurs in August and September.[2][3][4]

This species was first formally described in 1983 by Eleanor Marion Bennett, who gave it the name Billardiera mollis in the journal Nuytsia, from specimens she collected on the "north-east slope of the southern ridge of the Ravensthorpe Range" in 1979.[4][5] In 2004, Lindy Cayzer and Michael Crisp transferred the species to Marianthus as M. mollis in Australian Systematic Botany.[6] The specific epithet (mollis) means "soft".[7]

Marianthus mollis is only known from the area near where the type collection was made, where it grows in open mallee and tall shrubland in the Esperance Plains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[3][2]

Marianthus mollis is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] meaning that it is rare or near threatened.[8]