Leptospermum morrisonii
{{Short description|Species of shrub}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Leptospermum morrisonii.jpg
|image_caption = In Mollymook
|genus = Leptospermum
|species = morrisonii
|authority = Joy Thomps.{{cite web|title=Leptospermum morrisonii|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/99349|publisher=Australian Plant Census|accessdate=28 April 2020}}
|synonyms = Leptospermum virgatum S.Schauer nom. illeg.
}}
Leptospermum morrisonii is a shrub or small tree that is endemic to New South Wales. It has strongly aromatic, elliptical to lance-shaped or curved leaves, white or greenish white flowers and fruit that remain on the plant. It occurs in the south-east of the state.
Description
Leptospermum morrisonii is a shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of {{cvt|2-5|m}} or higher. The bark on older stems is corrugated, the younger stems softly-hairy with a distinct flange. The leaves are strongly aromatic, elliptical to lance-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and often slightly curved, {{cvt|15-35|mm}} long and {{cvt|2-8|mm}} wide with a negligible petiole. The flowers are borne singly on the ends of branchlets and are white or greenish creamy-white, usually {{cvt|12-15|mm}} wide. There are broad, reddish brown bracts and bracteoles at the base of the flower bud but most are shed before the flower opens. The floral cup is glabrous, about {{cvt|4|mm}} deep and the sepals are thin, pale, and {{cvt|2.5-3.5|mm}} long. The petals are {{cvt|5-7|mm}} long and the stamens {{cvt|3.5-4.5|mm}} long. Flowering mainly occurs from late December to January and the fruit is a capsule usually {{cvt|6-10|mm}} in diameter.{{cite web |url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Leptospermum~morrisonii |title=Leptospermum morrisonii|accessdate=11 January 2015 |author=|work= PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia}}{{cite journal |last1=Thompson |first1=Joy |title=A revision of the genus Leptospermum (Myrtaceae) |journal=Telopea |date=1989 |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=402–403}}
Taxonomy and naming
Leptospermum morrisonii was first formally described in 1989 by Joy Thompson in the journal Telopea, based on plant material collected by Hugo Salasoo, near Mount Dhruwalgha, south-east of Robertson.{{cite web|title=Leptospermum morrisonii|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/525865 |publisher=APNI|accessdate=27 April 2020}}{{cite web |title=Salasoo, Hugo (1901 – 1991) |url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/biography/salasoo-hugo.html |publisher=Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria Australian National Herbarium |accessdate=28 April 2020}} The specific epithet (morrisonii) honours David Morrison for his genecological work.
Distribution and habitat
This tea-tree grows in woodland and shrubland in rocky paces and on rocky creek banks from the southern Blue Mountains to the Corang River further south.
References
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q15369239}}
Category:Myrtales of Australia
Category:Flora of New South Wales