Sclerolaena birchii
Species of shrub
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sclerolaena birchii, commonly known as galvanised burr, is a perennial shrub native to inland Australia.[1]
| Sclerolaena birchii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Sclerolaena |
| Species: | S. birchii |
| Binomial name | |
| Sclerolaena birchii | |
Description
Sclerolaena birchii grows to around 1 m in height and diameter,[2] branches are hairy with obovate to narrow-obovate leaves that can grow from 5- 15mm long.[3][4] Leaves are shortly petiolate, flat and long.[4] Fruiting perianth is hard, occurs obliquely, elliptic, 2-3mm in length,[3] usually 5 spines present, divergent, the 3 abaxial spines are longer (6-15mm), the 2 adaxial spines usually 1-2mm long.[5] Persistent hair bases cause the base of the spine creates a rough texture; seed is erect.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Sclerolaena birchii can be found as isolated individuals or dense stands, where there are coarse sandy soils, or duplex soils.[6] The galvanised burr often occurs near a few vegetation communities such as: bimble box, mulga and cypress pine.[6] Sclerolaena birchii is distributed throughout western NSW and has been found in VIC and QLD.[5] Sclerolaena birchii is considered to be near threatened in the Northern Territory, least concern in Queensland, and of least concern in Victoria.[7]
Taxonomy
Sclerolaena birchii is a member of Caryophyllales order which is estimated to contain around 12,500 species.[8] A number of Caryophyllales species are characterised by extreme drought and cold tolerance.[8] In some literature Sclerolaena birchii is classified under the Chenopodiaceae family and in other literature it is classified under the Amaranthaceae family.[9] The relationship between the Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae remains unclear.[10] The plant belongs to the genus Sclerolaena, which comprises low shrubs and herbs and has around 66 species that occur in semi-arid regions of Australia.[11]
Sclerolaena birchii branch
Sclerolaena birchii shrub
