Plants of
South Australia
Hemichroa diandra
Amaranthaceae
Mallee Hemichroa
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
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Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
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Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock painting: 1

Prior names

Polycnemum diandrum

Common names

Mallee Hemichroa

Etymology

Hemichroa from the Greek 'hemi', meaning half and 'chroa, meaning colour, referring to the perianth of Hemichroa pentandra which is sometimes pink inside, whitish outside. Diandra from the Greek 'di', meaning two and 'andra', meaning stamen.

Distribution and status

Found scattered across South Australia except near the eastern border, growing on sand and saline soils around salt lakes and coastal salt flats. Also found in all mainland States. Native. Common in South Australia. Very rare in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Lake Eyre, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Woody forb to 30cm tall. Leaves succulent, alternating up the stems; to 12 mm long, flat to linear, hairless, often with a recurved point. Flowers white or pink, with 5 'petals'; solitary at the bases of the leaves. Flowering between July and January. Fruits are brown woody fruit; persistent in bract axils. Seed embryo type is peripheral.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between January and December. Collect fruit that are brown. Look for one with swelling at base. Place the fruit in a tray to dry. No further cleaning is required for storage. Each half of the fruit contain a seed in the woody swollen base. Store the fruit with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.

We acknowledge the contributions of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and the Department for Environment and Water.