Spartothamnella juncea

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Spartothamnella juncea (A.Cunn. ex Walp.) Briq.

Briquet, J.I. in Engler, H.G.A. & Prantl, K.A.E. (1895) Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien 4(3a): 161. Type: ?.

Synonyms

Spartothamnus junceus Walp., Repertorium Botanices Systematicae 6: 694(1847), Type: ?.

Common name

Square-stemmed Broom

Stem

Flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1 m tall, sometimes flowers when smaller.

Leaves

Stems and twigs 4-angled or longitudinally ribbed. Leaves sometimes absent, if present, leaf blades small and inconspicuous, about 3-10 mm long, sessile or with a petiole about 0.2-0.5 mm long. Small yellow glands visible on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blade. Lateral veins not visible.

Flowers

Flowers small, calyx about 2 mm long, corolla scarcely exceeding the calyx. Outer and inner surfaces of the calyx and the outer surface of the corolla clothed in very small, globose, cream or pale yellow glands. Apex of the ovary clothed in similar glands.

Fruit

Fruits small, globular, about 2-4 mm diam., separating into four 1-seeded pyrenes.

Seedlings

Features not available.

Distribution and Ecology

Endemic to Australia, occurs in NEQ and southwards as far as south-eastern New South Wales. Altitudinal range in NEQ from 200-600 m. Grows in vine thickets, monsoon forest and similar vegetation types.