Conospermum toddii explained

Conospermum toddii, commonly known as Victoria Desert smokebush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Western Australia. It is a spreading shrub with thread-like leaves, panicles of white, tube-shaped flowers and hairy nuts.

Description

Conospermum toddii is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of and has S-shaped, thread-like leaves, long and wide. The flowers are arranged in panicles with few branches in the axils of upper leaves, with kidney-shaped to broadly egg-shaped bracteoles long, about wide and hairy. The flowers are white, forming a tube long, the upper lobe broadly triangular, long and wide, the lower lobe up to long and long. Flowering occurs from July to Octrober, and the fruit is a nut about long and wide with white hairs.[1]

Taxonomy

Conospermum toddii was first formally described in 1876 by Ferdinand von Mueller in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected near Queen Victoria Spring by Jess Young.[2] [3] The specific epithet (toddii) honours Charles Todd.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Conospermum grows in sand on sand dunes in the region to the east of Kalgoorlie in the Coolgardie, Great Victoria Desert and Murchison bioregions of Western Australia.

Conservation status

Conospermum toddii is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is rare or near threatened.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bennett . Eleanor M. . Conospermum toddii . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 10 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Conospermum toddii . Australian Plant Name Index . 10 November 2024.
  3. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae . 1876 . Victorian Government Printer . Melbourne . 20 . 10 November 2024.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 325 . 3rd.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. 10 November 2024.