Trochocarpa clarkei

Trochocarpa clarkei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Trochocarpa
Species: T. clarkei
Binomial name
Trochocarpa clarkei
(F.Muell.) F.Muell.[1]
Synonyms

Decaspora clarkei F.Muell.[2]

Trochocarpa clarkei, commonly known as lilac berry, is a rare flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. It is endemic to sub-alpine areas of Victoria in Australia.[3][4] It is a shrub which grows to around 30 cm high. The flowers are maroon with a greenish base. The fruits, which appear in autumn, are about 8 mm in diameter.[3] These are eaten by small mammals and birds.[4] The species occurs in subalpine areas of the southern highlands, often in association with Eucalyptus pauciflora.[4]

The species was formally described in 1855 by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in his paper Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants.[2] Mueller gave it the name Decaspora clarkei based on plant material collected from "shady ravines" at Mount Wellington in Gippsland. In 1867 Mueller transferred the species to the genus Trochocarpa.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Trochocarpa clarkei (F.Muell.) F.Muell.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Decaspora clarkei F.Muell.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 Corrick, M.G. & Fuhrer, B.A. (2001). Wildflowers of Victoria and adjoining areas. Australia: Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473142.
  4. 1 2 3 "A Typical Rare Plant". Rare Plants of Victoria. Viridans. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
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