Platylobium
Encyclopedia
Platylobium is a genus
of shrubs in the Fabaceae
family. Native to south eastern Australia
, they occur in a range of habitats of the coastal regions. The genus was first described by James Edward Smith
, and is closely allied to another genera within the bossiaeeae
grouping, Bossiaea
.
The plants within this and other genera of the bossiaeeae tribe are well known. They often have a common name that alludes to the oblongate pod described in the binary name - such as 'flat pea' - or by its exhibition of a yellow, orange and pinky–red fluorescence - 'eggs and bacon' peas. Papery dark brown scales support the banner of the pea's flower, this completes the semblance to a cooked breakfast. These flowers are displayed on rambling branches, sometimes as a short shrub, often extending prostrate. They range inland in coastal regions Southern
and Eastern Australia, including Tasmania
.
Platylobium is found to have a distinct wing on the pod, this distinguishes the genus from that of Bossiaea. Examination of the ovate leaves, distinction in the brown papery parts near the bract
and diversion in the form of various parts will allow identification of the two species described below.
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of shrubs in the Fabaceae
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
family. Native to south eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, they occur in a range of habitats of the coastal regions. The genus was first described by James Edward Smith
James Edward Smith
Sir James Edward Smith was an English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society.Smith was born in Norwich in 1759, the son of a wealthy wool merchant. He displayed a precocious interest in the natural world...
, and is closely allied to another genera within the bossiaeeae
Bossiaeeae
Bossiaeeae are plants with red and yellow flowers endemic to Australia. These pea-flowered shrubs, also called "The Egg-and-Bacon Peas of Australia," make up a tribe of legumes related to the mirbelieae. In fact, phylogenetic analysis suggests that the tribe Bossiaeeae is monophyletic with the...
grouping, Bossiaea
Bossiaea
Bossiaea is a genus in the pea family consisting of about 70 species which are native to Australia. The genus is named in honour of Bossieu de la Martinière, a botanist on La Pérouse's expedition to Australia.Species include:...
.
The plants within this and other genera of the bossiaeeae tribe are well known. They often have a common name that alludes to the oblongate pod described in the binary name - such as 'flat pea' - or by its exhibition of a yellow, orange and pinky–red fluorescence - 'eggs and bacon' peas. Papery dark brown scales support the banner of the pea's flower, this completes the semblance to a cooked breakfast. These flowers are displayed on rambling branches, sometimes as a short shrub, often extending prostrate. They range inland in coastal regions Southern
Southern Australia
The term southern Australia is generally considered to include the States and territories of Australia of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory...
and Eastern Australia, including Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.
Platylobium is found to have a distinct wing on the pod, this distinguishes the genus from that of Bossiaea. Examination of the ovate leaves, distinction in the brown papery parts near the bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
and diversion in the form of various parts will allow identification of the two species described below.
List of species
This is a list of published Platylobium species. They are placed within the taxonomic sub division of BossiaeeaeBossiaeeae
Bossiaeeae are plants with red and yellow flowers endemic to Australia. These pea-flowered shrubs, also called "The Egg-and-Bacon Peas of Australia," make up a tribe of legumes related to the mirbelieae. In fact, phylogenetic analysis suggests that the tribe Bossiaeeae is monophyletic with the...
.
- Platylobium alternifolium F.Muell. - Victorian Flat-pea
- Platylobium formosumPlatylobium formosumPlatylobium formosum, also known as Handsome Flat-pea, is a shrub which is endemic to Australia . It is a member of the family Fabaceae and of the genus Platylobium.-Description:...
Sm.James Edward SmithSir James Edward Smith was an English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society.Smith was born in Norwich in 1759, the son of a wealthy wool merchant. He displayed a precocious interest in the natural world...
- Handsome Flat-pea - Platylobium obtusangulumPlatylobium obtusangulumPlatylobium obtusangulum ' is a shrub which is endemic to Australia . It is a member of the family Fabaceae and of the genus Platylobium....
Hook.William Jackson HookerSir William Jackson Hooker, FRS was an English systematic botanist and organiser. He held the post of Regius Professor of Botany at Glasgow University, and was the first Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He enjoyed the friendship and support of Sir Joseph Banks for his exploring,...
- Common Flat-pea - Platylobium triangulare R.Br.Robert Brown (botanist)Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
- Ivy Flat-pea