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''Prionotes'' is a
Its wiry stem is about 1 meter long. The glossy deep green leaves are 0.8–2 cm long, fairly crowded, elliptical in shape with shallowly-toothed margins, without parallel veins. The deep pink tubular flowers are bell shaped with 5 petals. They are up to 2.5 cm long by 1-1.2 cm wide, and constricted at the mouth. They are pendent, often clustered, and usually appear in summer and autumn. The fruit is a woody capsule, opening by 5 valves with many seeds in each part. ''P. cerinthoides'' is self-compatible and bird pollinated.
''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is a slender, perennial climbing or epiphytic shrub that can climb the trunk, especially the ''Nothofagus cunninghamii''. ''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is common in the rainforests of the west and south-west particularly montane areas and also occurs in alpine vegetation. This species grows best in acid soil (pH 4-5) and a cool, moist, shaded site is essential. It is sometimes referred to as the missing link between the family Epacridaceae (southern hemisphere heath family) and the Ericaceae (northern hemisphere heath family). The closest relative to Tasmania’s climbing heath is a species found in the rainforests of Chile.
The reproduction of ''Prionotes cerinthoides'' seems to be heavily dependent on a native bird species, the eastern spinebill (''Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris''). Because the nectar and pollen are sticky, ''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is not suitable for wind-pollination. At the same time, most bees rarely access this species due to the special shape of the corolla mouth. Currently, ''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is well preserved in the
Key to Tasmanian Dicots
Photographs by Dombrovskis, Peter, 1945-1996
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q2031154, from2=Q17233525 Epacridoideae Flora of Tasmania Monotypic Ericaceae genera
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
s endemic to Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
, with a single species, ''Prionotes cerinthoides''. Commonly known as climbing heath, it is a temperate rainforest
Temperate rainforests are coniferous or broadleaf forests that occur in the temperate zone and receive heavy rain.
Temperate rain forests occur in oceanic moist regions around the world: the Pacific temperate rain forests of North American Paci ...
climber or a small scrambling shrub in the mountains. It usually lives in very wet, undisturbed places.
Habitat and distribution
The plant family Ericaceae (heaths and heathers) is widespread in many parts of the globe, particularly Europe and South Africa. It contains a number of widely cultivated plants such as ''Erica, Rhododendron'' and ''Pieris''. Like most of Australia's members of the Ericaceae, ''Prionotes'' belongs to the subfamily Epacridoideae, which was formerly classified as a separate family, the Epacridaceae. ''Prionotes'' consists of the single species, ''P.cerinthoides'', which is endemic to Tasmania. ''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is endemic to temperate rainforest, subalpine, and alpine plant communities in Tasmania, Australia.
''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is a slender, perennial climbing or epiphytic shrub that can climb the trunk, especially the ''Nothofagus cunninghamii''. ''Prionotes cerinthoides'' is common in the rainforests of the west and south-west particularly montane areas and also occurs in alpine vegetation. This species grows best in acid soil (pH 4-5) and a cool, moist, shaded site is essential. It is sometimes referred to as the missing link between the family Epacridaceae (southern hemisphere heath family) and the Ericaceae (northern hemisphere heath family). The closest relative to Tasmania’s climbing heath is a species found in the rainforests of Chile.
Tasmanian Wilderness
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, abbreviated to TWWHA, is a World Heritage Site in Tasmania, Australia. It is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia, covering , or almost 25% of Tasmania. It is also one of the last ex ...
World Heritage Area and other national parks in Tasmania, which means some habitat is moderately protected. The eastern spinebill, which can help pollination, is widely distributed.
Formerly placed here
* ''Prionotes americana'' Hook., now included in '' Lebetanthus myrsinites'' * ''Prionotes myrsinites'' (Lam.) Skottsb., now ''Lebetanthus myrsinites'' * ''Prionotes secunda'' (R.Br.) Spreng., now '' Dracophyllum secundum''References
External links
Key to Tasmanian Dicots
Photographs by Dombrovskis, Peter, 1945-1996
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q2031154, from2=Q17233525 Epacridoideae Flora of Tasmania Monotypic Ericaceae genera