Asterolasia buxifolia

Asterolasia buxifolia is a species of spindly shrub in the family Rutaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of eastern New South Wales. It has star-shaped hairs on its stems, leathery leaves and yellow flowers arranged singly in leaf axils with star-shaped hairs on the back of the petals.

Asterolasia buxifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Asterolasia
Species:
A. buxifolia
Binomial name
Asterolasia buxifolia
Synonyms[1]
  • Eriostemon cunninghami F.Muell. orth. var.
  • Eriostemon cunninghamii F.Muell.
  • Phebalium buxifolium Benth. nom. inval., pro syn.

Description

Asterolasia buxifolia is a spindly shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in–6 ft 7 in) with its stems covered with star-shaped hairs. The leaves are leathery and egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 5–18 mm (0.20–0.71 in) long and 3–10 mm (0.12–0.39 in) wide on a petiole 2–7 mm (0.079–0.276 in) long. The upper surface of the leaves is glabrous but the lower surface is covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils, each flower on a pedicel up to 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long. The five petals are yellow, elliptical, 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and covered with star-shaped hairs on the back.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy

This species was first described in 1863 by George Bentham who published the description in Flora Australiensis.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

Asterolasia buxifolia is only known from a single site near the River Lett where it grows among granite rocks in forest.[2][4][7]

Conservation status

This plant was only rediscovered in 2000 and little is known about it. It is listed as "endangered" under the New South Wales Government Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The main threats to the species include weed invasion, habitat disturbance and grazing by rabbits, hares and livestock.[7]

References
  1. "Asterolasia buxifolia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. "Asterolasia buxifolia". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  3. Wilson, Paul G. "Asterolasia buxifolia". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  4. Mole, Bryan J. (2002). "Variation within Asterolasia asteriscophora sensu lato (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and the recognition of new taxa in eastern Australia". Muelleria. 16: 100. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  5. "Asterolasia buxifolia". APNI. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  6. Bentham, George; von Mueller, Ferdinand (1863). Flora Australiensis. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 351.
  7. "Asterolasia buxifolia - profile". New South Wales Government Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
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