Prior names
Boronia nana var. hyssopifolia
Common names
Hyssop-leaf Dwarf Boronia
Etymology
Cyanothamnus is from the Greek words cyano meaning blue, and thamnus meaning shrub. Nana from the Latin 'anus' meaning dwarf, presumably referring to the small stature of the species. Hyssopifolia having leaves similar to that of Hyssop (genus Hyssopus).
Distribution and status
In South Australia know only from a few locations in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, growing in heath in stringybark woodland. Also found in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium region: Southern Lofty
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Prostrate or procumbent subshrub with branches to 30 cm long with branchlets hairy between the hairless leaf bases and warty, sometimes rough. Leaves simple, aromatic when rubbed, opposite each other, to 2.5 cm long and 3 mm wide, hairless to hairy, often thickened, tips pointed. The feature distinguish this subspecies from the other two subspecies (C. nana ssp. nana and C. nana ssp. pubescens) which have trifoliolate leaves. Inflorescences in clusters of 1-6 white to pink flowers, to 5.5 mm long, petals overlapping in bud, persistent at the seeding stage. Flowering between October and January. Fruits are pale brown, two to four segmented capsule. Seeds are black ovoid to 2.5 mm long and 2 mm wide with a tuberculated surface. Seed embryo type is linear fully developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between November and January. Collect mature capsules, those that are turning a pale straw colour and contain hard seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for a weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand 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. Seed viability can be low. This species has physiological dormancy and can be difficult to germinate.
| Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGA | 378 (0.502 g) | 5 | 20-Jan-2021 | DJD4007 Southern Lofty | 28-Jun-2021 | 40% | -18°C |
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.