Comesperma sphaerocarpum
Encyclopedia
Comesperma sphaerocarpum, commonly known as the Broom Milkwort, is an Australian plant in the Milkwort family
. Inconspicuous unless in flower, it grows from 10 to 30 cm (4-12 in) high. The stems are ridged and usually leafless, and arise from the plant's woody base. The rarely seen leaves are at the base of the shoot. They are thick in texture, and measure 8 mm long by 2 mm wide. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in Plantae Preissianae in 1846, authored by the German botanist Joachim Steetz.
Endemic to New South Wales, Comesperma sphaerocarpum is found along the tablelands and coast, from Warialda in the north to Nowra. In the Sydney
region it is found in the Munmorah State Conservation Area
, Royal
, Lane Cove
and Brisbane Water National Park
s and other bushland reserves.
The habitat is sandy soils in heathland or low eucalyptus
country, sometimes in high rainfall areas. The specific epithet sphaerocarpum is from the Ancient Greek
, referring to the ball-shaped fruit. The attractive violet or blue flowers form from October to May. The width of the flower is around 1 cm (0.4 in). The fruit is somewhat broadly triangular or round, and tapers to the stem, although not as prominently tapered as are other plants in this genus. The fruit is 4 mm long.
Its habit distinguishes it from the related pink matchheads or heath milkwort (Comesperma ericinum
) which has erect stems, and the love creeper (Comesperma volubile
) which has a twining habit.
In cultivation this plant prefers sunny situations in moist infertile soils.
Polygalaceae
The Polygalaceae or Milkwort family is a family of flowering plants in the order Fabales. They have a near-cosmopolitan range, with about 17 genera and 900–1,000 species of herbs, shrubs and trees...
. Inconspicuous unless in flower, it grows from 10 to 30 cm (4-12 in) high. The stems are ridged and usually leafless, and arise from the plant's woody base. The rarely seen leaves are at the base of the shoot. They are thick in texture, and measure 8 mm long by 2 mm wide. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in Plantae Preissianae in 1846, authored by the German botanist Joachim Steetz.
Endemic to New South Wales, Comesperma sphaerocarpum is found along the tablelands and coast, from Warialda in the north to Nowra. In the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
region it is found in the Munmorah State Conservation Area
Munmorah State Conservation Area
Munmorah State Conservation Area is located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The area's coastal setting and panoramic views, perched sand dunes, diverse vegetation communities, protected threatened species and migratory bird habitats and opportunities for nature based recreation...
, Royal
Royal National Park
Royal National Park is a national park in New South Wales, Australia, 29 km south of Sydney CBD.Founded by Sir John Robertson, Acting Premier of New South Wales, and formally proclaimed on 26 April 1879, it is the world's second oldest purposed national park, the first usage of the term...
, Lane Cove
Lane Cove National Park
Lane Cove National Park is a small national park located within metropolitan Sydney. The park islocated about ten kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD...
and Brisbane Water National Park
Brisbane Water National Park
Brisbane Water National park is a national park in New South Wales, , 47 km north of Sydney.The park has many pleasant and interesting walks that can vary from mild to rugged. One walk that can be easily accessed via public transport, is the walk to Pindar Cave on the escarpment above...
s and other bushland reserves.
The habitat is sandy soils in heathland or low eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
country, sometimes in high rainfall areas. The specific epithet sphaerocarpum is from the Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
, referring to the ball-shaped fruit. The attractive violet or blue flowers form from October to May. The width of the flower is around 1 cm (0.4 in). The fruit is somewhat broadly triangular or round, and tapers to the stem, although not as prominently tapered as are other plants in this genus. The fruit is 4 mm long.
Its habit distinguishes it from the related pink matchheads or heath milkwort (Comesperma ericinum
Comesperma ericinum
Comesperma ericinum, commonly known as Heath Milkwort, pink matchheads or Pyramid Flower, is a slender shrub of the family Polygalaceae....
) which has erect stems, and the love creeper (Comesperma volubile
Comesperma volubile
Comesperma volubile, commonly known as Love Creeper, is a slender climber in the family Polygalaceae.It grows to between 1 and 2 metres high. The leaves are 10 to 50 mm long and 1 to 5 mm wide. Blue or pale purple flowers are produced in spays from July to December in the species native range...
) which has a twining habit.
In cultivation this plant prefers sunny situations in moist infertile soils.