''Anthocercis viscosa'', also known as sticky tailflower, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
shrub
A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...
in the family
Solanaceae
The Solanaceae , or nightshades, are a family of flowering plants that ranges from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and includes a number of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and orn ...
, native to the south coast of
Western Australia
Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
. It grows up to 3 metres in height and produces white or cream flowers between May and February (late autumn to late summer) in its native range.
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described by botanist
Robert Brown in 1810 in ''
Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae
''Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen'' (Prodromus of the Flora of New Holland and Van Diemen's Land) is a flora of Australia written by botanist Robert Brown and published in 1810. Often referred to as ''Prodromus Flora Novae ...
''. Two subspecies are currently recognised:
*''Anthocercis viscosa'' subsp. ''caudata'' Haegi
*''Anthocercis viscosa'' R.Br. subsp. ''viscosa''
References
Nicotianoideae
Solanales of Australia
Eudicots of Western Australia
Plants described in 1810
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