Leptospermum venustum

Leptospermum venustum is a species of spreading shrub that is endemic to Queensland. It has thin, rough, scaly bark, broadly elliptical leaves, deep pink flowers borne singly on side shoots and fruit that is fleshy and succulent at first.

Leptospermum venustum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Leptospermum
Species:
L. venustum
Binomial name
Leptospermum venustum

Description

Leptospermum venustum is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 1.5–2.5 m (4 ft 11 in–8 ft 2 in) and has arching branches. The bark is thin, rough, grey and scaly and the young stems are covered with spreading hairs. The leaves are broadly elliptical, the same shade of green on both sides, 6–13 mm (0.24–0.51 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide and sessile or on a petiole up to 1 mm (0.039 in) long. The flowers are borne singly on short side branches and are deep pink, fading to light pink and 18–25 mm (0.71–0.98 in) wide. The floral cup is covered with silky hairs, 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long and sessile or on a very short pedicel, and the sepals are triangular and covered with soft hairs. The petals are more or less round and there are thirty to forty stamens. The fruit is a capsule that is fleshy and succulent at first, 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) wide with the remains of the sepals attached.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Leptospermum venustum was first formally described in 1992 by Anthony Bean in the journal Austrobaileya.[2][3] The specific epithet (venustum) refers to "its very beautiful floral display".[2]

Distribution and habitat

This tea-tree grows on hills and slopes, sometimes near small streams in woodland and is restricted to a small area west of Eidsvold.[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified as "vulnerable" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[4]

References
  1. "Leptospermum venustum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  2. Bean, Anthony R. (1992). "The genus Leptospermum Forst. et Forst.f. (Myrtaceae) in northern Australia and Malesia". Austrobaileya. 3 (4): 649–650. JSTOR 41738808.
  3. "Leptospermum venustum". APNI. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  4. "Species profile—Leptospermum venustum". Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
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