Prior names
Logania centralis
Etymology
Logania named after James Logan (1674-1751), an Irish born botanist who emigrated to North America, became Governor of Pennsylvania and wrote a book on the sexuality of plants. Centralis from Latin meaning middle or central; referring to the species' occurrence in the geographical centre of Australia.
Distribution and status
Found in the far north-western corner of South Australia, growing on red sand in sandplains and sand dunes. Also found in Western Australia (under the new genus Orianthera) and the Northern Territory. Native. Rare in South Australia. Uncommon in the other states.
Herbarium region: North Western
NRM region: Alinytjara Wilurara
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Erect, compact, rounded undershrub, to 45 cm high with many hairy branches which appear leafless and finely longitudinally ridged. Leaves reduced, scale-like, sessile, narrowly triangular, to 4 mm long and 1.4 mm wide, with scattered minute hairs on margin. Inflorescence terminal on short lateral branches, in clusters with 1–7 white hairy, unisexual flowers. Fruits are brown ovoid capsule Seeds are black convex seed, with a reticulated surface. Seed embryo type is linear under-developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect maturing capsules, those that are fat, turning brown in colour, have not open and contain hard black seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for one to two weeks for it to split. Then rub the capsules gently with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.