Sprengelia distichophylla | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ericaceae |
Genus: | Sprengelia |
Species: | S. distichophylla
|
Binomial name | |
Sprengelia distichophylla | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Sprengelia incarnata var. distichophylla Rodway |
Sprengelia distichophylla is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is a tufted shrub that typically grows to a height of 51–76 mm (2.0–3.0 in) with leaves about 2 mm (0.079 in) long, arranged in two closely overlapping rows, with the bases sheathing the stem. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils and are white, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and bell-shaped. Flowering occurs in summer.[2][3][4]
This species was first formally described in 1903 by Leonard Rodway who gave it the name Sprengelia incarnata var. distichophylla in The Tasmanian Flora.[5] In 1963, Winifred Curtis raised the variety to species status as Sprengelia distichophylla in The Student's Flora of Tasmania.[6] The specific epithet (distichophylla) means "having leaves in two rows".[7]
This epacris grows in exposed in alpine scrub on the western mountains of Tasmania.[2]