Nematolepis elliptica

Nematolepis elliptica, is a small, bushy shrub with white flowers in small clusters from September to November. It is endemic to the south coast of New South Wales.

Nematolepis elliptica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Rutaceae
Genus:	Nematolepis
Species:	N. elliptica
Binomial name
Nematolepis elliptica (Paul G.Wilson) Paul G.Wilson[1]

Description

Nematolepis elliptica is a small shrub to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high with rounded, scaly, warty branches. The leaves are elliptic or oblong-oval, 20–35 mm (0.79–1.38 in) long, 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide, margins flat, rounded to notched at the apex, papery, smooth on the upper surface, silvery scales on lower surface. The flowers are in groups of 2–5 in short cymes about 5 mm (0.20 in) long, both individual flower stalk and the cyme peduncle are thick and scaly. The small bracts are almost flattened, leaf-like, smaller near apex of branch and discarded early. The sepals triangular shaped, about 1 mm (0.039 in) long, fleshy and mostly smooth. The white petals elliptic shaped, slightly overlap, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and smooth. The dry seed capsule is almost square, about 3 mm (0.12 in) high with a very small triangular point. Flowering occurs from September to November.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1974 by Paul G. Wilson, the description was published in the journal Nuytsia and given the name Phebalium ellipticum.[5][6] In 1998 Paul G. Wilson changed the name to Nematolepis elliptica and the name change was published in the journal Nuytsia.[7][8]

Distribution and habitat

Nematolepis elliptica has a restricted distribution in the ranges east of Cooma in New South Wales. It is found growing in shrubland and forests, usually amid rocky outcrops.[4]

References

1. "Nematolepis elliptica". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
2. Wilson, Paul G. (1999). Flora of Australia-Volume 26 Meliaceae, Rutaceae, Zygophyllaceae. Canberra/Melbourne: ABRS-Department of Environment & Heritage. p. 450. ISBN 9780643109551.
3. Wilson, Paul G. "Nematolepis elliptica". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment-Canberra. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
4. Weston, P.H; Harden, G.J. "Nematolepis elliptica". PlantNET-NSW FLORA ONLINE. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
5. "Phebalium ellipticum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
6. Wilson, Paul G. (1974). "A new species of Phebalium from south-eastern New South Wales". Nuytsia. 1 (4). Retrieved 27 July 2020.
7. "Nematolepis elliptica". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
8. Wilson, Paul G. (1998). ", New species and nomenclatural changes in Phebalium and related genera (Rutaceae)". Nuytsia. 12 (2): 278. Retrieved 27 July 2020.