Leptecophylla parvifolia | |
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On Kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart, Tasmania. | |
Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ericaceae |
Genus: | Leptecophylla |
Species: | L. parvifolia
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Binomial name | |
Leptecophylla parvifolia (R.Br.) Jarman
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Leptecophylla parvifolia, commonly known as the mountain pinkberry, is a small to medium sized species of shrub in the family Ericaceae that is endemic to the highlands of Tasmania. [1] This species was first collected and documented in 1804 by Robert Brown and was formerly included in the Cythodes genus. [1] It was then as noted as subspecies of Leptecophylla junipernia but in 2018, was classified as its own species [1]
It grows as an erect, compact, and rounded shrub, typically wider than it is high. [1] This species typically ranges in height from 50-150cm, rarely exceeding 2m. [2] L. parvifolia is common in open eucalypt woodlands and within rainforest communities. [1] It occurs throughout the southern, central and northeast highlands of Tasmania at altitudes above 500 metres and can form the dominant shrub layer in some locations (e.g. the Central Plateau). [1] In the southeast, its primarily found on rocky dolerite slopes but also can occur on Carboniferous-Devonian rock types [3]
The leaves of this species are small, hence the name ‘parvifolia’ which translates roughly to ‘small leaves’.[ citation needed] The leaves are alternately arranged and smaller than other Leptecophylla species, often <7mm, dark green in colour and pungent. [1] [4] They are linear-lanceolate while the margins are slightly recurved, the apex of the leaves comes to a sharp point. The abaxial surface is pale white and waxy which displays a distinct striate pattern. However, the venation is typically narrow palmate and gives the appearance of being parallel due to the curvature of the margins and small leaf size. [5]
This species bares small, white, bell shaped flowers that are smaller than then that of the other species in this genus. [1] It flowers from September to January and by late spring, has masses of small edible pink/red berries up to 8mm in diameter [6]