Enchylaena tomentosa
| Enchylaena tomentosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Subfamily: | Camphorosmoideae |
| Genus: | Enchylaena |
| Species: | E. tomentosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Enchylaena tomentosa R.Br. | |
| Varieties | |
|
E. tomentosa var. tomentosa | |
Enchylaena tomentosa, commonly known as Barrier Saltbush or Ruby Saltbush, is a species of small shrub endemic to Australia.
Description
It grows as a small shrub, prostrate or erect, up to a metre high. It has slender leaves up to two centimetres long, and fruits that may be green, yellow or red. Both leaves and stems are densely covered in woolly hairs.[1][2]
Taxonomy
It was first published by Robert Brown in 1810, as the only species of Enchylaena. Since that time a number of putative new species have been published based on specimens that are now referred to this species; hence it has a number of taxonomic synonyms. Two varieties are recognised: the autonym E. tomentosa var. tomentosa, and a less woolly variety, E. tomentosa var. glabra, which was published by George Bentham in 1870.[3]
Distribution and habitat
It occurs throughout Australia, and has also naturalised in New Caledonia. It tolerates a range of soils, but prefers soils that are slightly saline.[1][2]
External links
References
- 1 2 Wilson, Paul G. "Chenopodiaceae". Flora of Australia IV. pp. 213–215.
- 1 2 "Enchylaena tomentosa R.Br.". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia.
- ↑ "Enchylaena tomentosa R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.