Thomasia microphylla

Thomasia microphylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, spreading shrub with egg-shaped leaves and racemes of pale pink or mauve flowers.

Thomasia microphylla
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Thomasia
Species:
T. microphylla
Binomial name
Thomasia microphylla
Paust[1]
Habit near Ravensthorpe

Description

Thomasia microphylla is an erect, spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 15–60 cm (5.9–23.6 in), its young stems covered with small scales surrounded by short hairs. Its leaves are egg-shaped, 2–10 mm (0.079–0.394 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) wide on a petiole 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The flowers are arranged on the ends of branches in racemes of 2 to 4 on a peduncle 10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in) long, each flower 12 mm (0.47 in) wide on a pedicel 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long. The sepals are pale pink or mauve, the petals minute. Flowering occurs from August to November.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy

Thomasia microphylla was first formally described in 1974 by Susan Paust in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by Alex George near the Ravensthorpe Range in 1963.[2][5] The specific epithet (microphylla) means "small-leaved".[6]

Distribution and habitat

This thomasia grows in sandy coastal heath, on laterite, loam or clay in the Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions in the south of Western Australia.[3][4]

Conservation status

Thomasia microphylla is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[4]

References
  1. "Thomasia microphylla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  2. Paust, Susan (1974). "Taxonomic studies in Thomasia and Lasiopetalum (Sterculiaceae)". Nuytsia. 1 (4): 351–353. doi:10.58828/nuy00022. S2CID 90727026. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern bushes of Australia ; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide. Victoria: Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. pp. 36–37. ISBN 9780646839301.
  4. "Thomasia microphylla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. "Thomasia microphylla". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  6. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 252. ISBN 9780958034180.
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