''Lasiopetalum microcardium'' is a species of flowering plant in the family
Malvaceae and is
endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading or straggling shrub with hairy stems, heart-shaped leaves and blue, purple or white flowers.
Description
''Lasiopetalum microcardium'' is a low, spreading or straggling shrub that typically grows to a height of and has hairy stems. The leaves are heart-shaped, long and wide. The flowers are borne on a
pedicel
Pedicle or pedicel may refer to:
Human anatomy
*Pedicle of vertebral arch, the segment between the transverse process and the vertebral body, and is often used as a radiographic marker and entry point in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures
...
long with
bracteoles long below the base of the
sepals. The sepals are petal-like, blue, pink or white, long and joined near the base. There are no petals and the
anthers
The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10
Morphology and terminology
A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filam ...
are long on a
filament
The word filament, which is descended from Latin ''filum'' meaning " thread", is used in English for a variety of thread-like structures, including:
Astronomy
* Galaxy filament, the largest known cosmic structures in the universe
* Solar filament ...
long. Flowering occurs from August to December.
Taxonomy
''Lasiopetalum microcardium'' was first formally described in 1904 by
Ernst Georg Pritzel in
Engler's journal ''
''.
The specific epithet (''microcardium'') means "a small heart" referring to the size and shape of the leaves.
Distribution and habitat
This lasiopetalum grows in lateritic soils on ridges and breakaways in the
Avon Wheatbelt,
Esperance Plains,
Jarrah Forest and
Mallee biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.
Conservation status
''Lasiopetalum microcardium'' is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is the Western Australian government
The Government of Western Australia, formally referred to as His Majesty's Government of Western Australia, is the Australian state de ...
.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q17580148
microcardium
Malvales of Australia
Rosids of Western Australia
Taxa named by Ernst Pritzel
Plants described in 1904