Stylidium trichopodum
Encyclopedia
Stylidium trichopodum is a dicotyledon
ous plant
that belongs to the genus
Stylidium (family Stylidiaceae
). It is an annual plant
that grows from 6 to 20 cm tall. The linear
leaves, about 20-200 per plant, are scattered along the elongate, glabrous stems. The leaves are generally 3-9 mm long and 0.2-0.7 mm wide. Petioles
are absent. This species produces 1-10 scapes
per plant. Inflorescence
s are 2.6-6 cm long and produce a single yellow or orange flower that blooms in June and July in the southern hemisphere
. S. trichopodum is endemic to northern Queensland
and is only known from a few populations. Its habitat is recorded as being moist sandy soils on flat or gently sloping terrain, sometimes in areas dominated by Melaleuca
species. S. trichopodum is most closely related to S. pedunculatum
, though it differs by its much larger flower and its cauline leaves instead of terminal rosettes
for S. pedunculatum.
In his revision of the subgenus Andersonia
, Tony Bean noted that the conservation status as data deficient, but also mentioned that it is clearly rare. To back up his argument on the rarity of this species, he points to the fact that around 110 years had elapsed from the time the type specimen
was collected and the next known collection.
Dicotyledon
The dicotyledons, also known as dicots, are a group of flowering plants whose seed typically has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. There are around 199,350 species within this group...
ous plant
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
that belongs to the genus
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...
Stylidium (family Stylidiaceae
Stylidiaceae
The family Stylidiaceae is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants. It consists of five genera with over 240 species, most of which are endemic to Australia and New Zealand. Members of Stylidiaceae are typically grass-like herbs or small shrubs and can be perennials or annuals...
). It is an annual plant
Annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers, and dies in a year or season. True annuals will only live longer than a year if they are prevented from setting seed...
that grows from 6 to 20 cm tall. The linear
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
leaves, about 20-200 per plant, are scattered along the elongate, glabrous stems. The leaves are generally 3-9 mm long and 0.2-0.7 mm wide. Petioles
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
are absent. This species produces 1-10 scapes
Scape (botany)
In botany, scapes are leafless flowering stems that rise from the ground. Scapes can have a single flower or many flowers, depending on the species....
per plant. Inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s are 2.6-6 cm long and produce a single yellow or orange flower that blooms in June and July in the southern hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
. S. trichopodum is endemic to northern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and is only known from a few populations. Its habitat is recorded as being moist sandy soils on flat or gently sloping terrain, sometimes in areas dominated by Melaleuca
Melaleuca
Melaleuca is a genus of plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae known for its natural soothing and cleansing properties. There are well over 200 recognised species, most of which are endemic to Australia...
species. S. trichopodum is most closely related to S. pedunculatum
Stylidium pedunculatum
Stylidium pedunculatum is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the genus Stylidium . It is an annual plant that grows from 5 to 10 cm tall. The linear or deltate leaves, about 20-200 per plant, are mostly in terminal rosettes but with some scattered along the elongate stem. The leaves are...
, though it differs by its much larger flower and its cauline leaves instead of terminal rosettes
Rosette (botany)
In botany, a rosette is a circular arrangement of leaves, with all the leaves at a single height.Though rosettes usually sit near the soil, their structure is an example of a modified stem.-Function:...
for S. pedunculatum.
In his revision of the subgenus Andersonia
Stylidium subg. Andersonia
Andersonia is a subgenus of Stylidium that is characterized by a linear hypanthium, recurved mature capsule walls, an erect and persistent septum, and many seeds...
, Tony Bean noted that the conservation status as data deficient, but also mentioned that it is clearly rare. To back up his argument on the rarity of this species, he points to the fact that around 110 years had elapsed from the time the type specimen
Biological type
In biology, a type is one particular specimen of an organism to which the scientific name of that organism is formally attached...
was collected and the next known collection.