Adriana quadripartita | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Genus: | Adriana |
Species: | A. quadripartita
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Binomial name | |
Adriana quadripartita | |
Synonyms | |
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Adriana quadripartita, the bitter bush, is a shrub in the family Euphorbiaceae. The species, which is endemic to southern Australia, has an erect open habit, growing to between 0.5 and 3 metres or more high. [2] [3] [4]
The lanceolate or ovate leaves are opposite, coarsely toothed and have a glabrous upper surface. [3] [5] They are 5 to 10 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide. [5] The male flower spikes are up to 17 cm long. [3] The female flowers, which occur on separate plants, appear in clusters. [5] These are followed by ovoid capsules which are about 1 centimetre in diameter. [2]
There are two recognised forms, one with wholly glabrous leaves and another pubescent form with leaves which are whitish tomentose on the underside.
This form, also known as rare bitter-bush or Adriana quadripartita sensu stricto, occurs in Western Australia, South Australia and in Victoria where it reaches its eastern limit at Port Phillip heads. [2] [4] [5] This form is listed as "threatened" in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. [6]
This form, also known as coast bitter-bush, is sometimes recognised as a species in its own right – Adriana klotzchii. It occurs on sand dunes along the coast of South Australia and into Victoria as far east as Wilsons Promontory. [3] [5] In South Australia, flowers are mostly produced in spring but may appear year round. [3] This form is a host plant of the bitter-bush blue butterfly (Theclinesthes albocincta). [7]
The species can be propagated by cuttings. The pubescent form may be used as a protective screen planting against salt-spray in coastal areas. [8]