Botanical art
Prior names
Phebalium glandulosum
Phebalium glandulosum ssp. glandulosum
Eriostemon sediflorus
Common names
Large-fruit Glandular Phebalium
Glandular Phebalium
Etymology
Phebalium from the Latinisation of the Greek word 'phibalee', a poetic name for the myrtle, to which the type species, P. squamulosum, is superficially similar. Glandulosum from the Latin 'glandulosus' meaning glandular, referring tothe glandular-warty covering on the stems and leaves. Macrocalyx from the Latin 'macro' meaning large and 'calyx' meaning cover or cup, referring to the large calyx which distinguishes this from the most closely related subspecies.
Distribution and status
Found only in the upper Yorke Peninsula and Northern Lofty in South Australia, growing on sandy soils in heathland and mallee. Also found in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Very rare in Queensland and Victoria. Common in New South Wales.
Herbarium regions: Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Bushy shrub to 2 m high with glandular-warty stems that are densely covered with silvery to rust-coloured scales. Leaves narrowly oblong to 1 cm long and 2 mm with upper surface glabrous, lower surface silvery-scaly, midrib flat to weakly impressed. Inflorescence a dense clusters of pale bright yellow flowers, the calyx hemispherical to top-shaped, to 1.5 mm long, glandular warty and covered with scales on the outside. Flowering September to October. Fruits are brown papery-capsule with a number of segments, each containing a seed, scaly. Seeds are black bean-like 4 mm long and 2 mm wide, finely corrugated. 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 containing 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 to high, depending on timing of collection. Capsule can split and release the seed readily and timing of seed collection is critical. This species has morpho-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 | 1,300 (2.24 g) | 52 | 16-Dec-2003 | MKJ11 Yorke Peninsula | 1-Sep-2004 | 45% | -18°C |
BGA | 1,350 (3.31 g) | 50 | 18-Jan-2007 | DJD745 Yorke Peninsula | 1-Aug-2007 | 100% | +5°C, -18°C |
BGA | 400 (0.74 g) | 9 | 12-Nov-2009 | TST882 Yorke Peninsula | 1-Jun-2010 | 50% | -18°C |