Dampiera linearis

The prolific botanist Robert Brown described Dampiera linearis in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.{{cite book | author = Brown, Robert | year = 1810 | title = Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen | location = London, UK | publisher = Richard Taylor and Company | authorlink = Robert Brown (botanist, born 1773) |page=588 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36315865}} Its species name is the Latin adjective linearis "linear".{{cite book |author1=Elliot Rodger W. |author2=Jones, David L. |author3=Blake, Trevor |title=Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation:Volume 3 - Ce-Er|year=1984|pages=170–71|publisher=Lothian Press |location=Port Melbourne |isbn=0-85091-167-2}} He described a D cuneata at the same time, which has been synonymised with D. linearis. Plants sold commercially were mislabeled as D. cuneata for many years. Dutch botanist Willem Hendrik de Vriese described two further plants—D. azurea and D. eriophora—from the Swan River and Perth environs in the 1845 work Plantae Preissianae,{{cite book|last=de Vriese|first=Willem Hendrik|date=1845|volume=1|pages=400–01|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/498573| title = Plantae Preissianae}} which are also now considered D. linearis.

An erect shrub, Dampiera linearis grows to between 15 and 60 cm (6 in–2 ft) in height, with a suckering habit. New growth is hairy and becomes smooth with maturity. The leaves are obovate to elliptical and can be entire or lobed, measuring 1–4 cm long by 1–10 mm wide. It produces flowers between July and December in its native range. These are 1.5–2 cm wide, and light blue to purple with a yellow or white centre. The outer- or undersurface of the flowers is covered with fine hair. The flowers arise in groups of 1 to 3 from a peduncle that is also covered in hair.

Dampiera linearis is found across the southwest corner of Western Australia from Geraldton in the north to Esperance in the south east. It grows on sand- or clay-based soils over laterite, on ridges, or flat areas.

Plants of Dampiera linearis can survive bushfire and resprout and put on new growth quickly.{{cite journal|last=Hobbs|first=R.J.|author2=Atkins, L.|date=1990|title=Fire-Related Dynamics of a Banksia Woodland in South-Western Western Australia|journal=Australian Journal of Botany|volume=38|issue=1|pages=97–110|doi=10.1071/BT9900097}}

Fieldwork on the Swan Coastal Plain indicated it was probably resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi.{{cite journal|title=Susceptibility of Plant Species in Banksia Woodlands on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia, to Infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi |author1=Shearer, B.L. |author2=Dillon, M. |date=1996|journal=Australian Journal of Botany|volume=44|issue=4|pages=433–45 |doi=10.1071/BT9960433}}

Some forms of Dampiera linearis are cultivated and sold for their colourful flowers, while others have attractive grey foliage. In cultivation, the species prefers a well-drained situation in full sun or light shade. It tolerates some dryness and moderate frost.{{cite book|author=Greig, D.| title=The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue| publisher=Angus & Robertson|location= Australia | year=1987 | isbn=0207154600}} It does not tolerate waterlogged soils. It makes an attractive plant for hanging baskets.

Dampiera linearis is readily propagated by cuttings; trials at Kings Park indicate that semi-hardened material is best and the average time to strike is 48 days.{{cite book|last=Webb|first=Mark|title=Australian Native Plants: The Kings Park Experience|publisher=Csiro Publishing|location=Collingwood, Victoria|date=2013|pages=55|isbn=9780643106994|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J_yRSA_kjrQC&dq=Dampiera+linearis&pg=PA56}}

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linearis

Category:Eudicots of Western Australia

Category:Endemic flora of Western Australia