Thomasia solanacea
{{Short description|Species of shrub}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Thomasia solanacea.jpg
|genus = Thomasia
|species = solanacea
|status_system = DECF
|status = P4
|authority = (Sims) J.Gay{{cite web |title=Thomasia solanacea |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/79579 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=27 February 2023}}
|synonyms = Lasiopetalum solanaceum Sims
}}
File:Thomasia solanacea habit.jpg]]
Thomasia solanacea is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, bushy shrub with egg-shaped leaves, the bases heart-shaped, and racemes of white, cream-coloured or pink to purple flowers.
Description
Thomasia solanacea is an erect, bushy shrub that typically grows to {{cvt|0.5–3|m}} high and {{cvt|2–3|m}} wide, its new growth covered with scaly, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped with a heart-shaped base, {{cvt|40–90|mm}} long and {{cvt|20–60|mm}} wide on a petiole up to {{cvt|40|mm}} long with stipules up to {{cvt|20|mm}} long at the base. The leaves have irregular edges and are covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged in racemes of 4 to 9 on a hairy peduncle about {{cvt|40|mm}} long, each flower on a pedicel {{cvt|3-5|mm}} long with linear bracteoles at the base. The flowers are {{cvt|8–14|mm}} in diameter, the sepals white, cream-coloured or pink to purple, the petals, anthers and staminodes deep red. Flowering occurs from September to December.{{cite book |last1=Blake |first1=Trevor L. |title=Lantern bushes of Australia; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide |date=2021 |publisher=Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group |location=Victoria |isbn=9780646839301 |pages=64–65}}{{FloraBase|name=Thomasia solanacea|id=5100}}
Taxonomy and naming
This species was first formally described in 1812 by Sims who gave it the name Lasiopetalum solaceum in the Botanical Magazine.{{cite web |title=Lasiopetalum solanaceum |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/rest/instance/apni/506542 |publisher=Australian Plant Name Index |access-date=27 February 2023}}{{cite journal |last1=Sims |first1=John |title=Lasiopetalum solanaceum |journal=Curtis's Botanical Magazine |date=1812 |volume=36 |page=1486 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/480953#page/193/mode/1up |access-date=27 February 2023}} In 1821, Jaques Étienne Gay transferred the species to the genus Thomasia in the journal Mémoires du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle.{{cite web |title=Thomasia solanacea |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/rest/instance/apni/494936 |publisher=Australian Plant Name Index |access-date=27 February 2023}} The specific epithet (solanacea) means "Solanum-like".{{cite book |last1=Sharr |first1=Francis Aubi |last2=George |first2=Alex |title=Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings |date=2019 |publisher=Four Gables Press |location=Kardinya, WA |isbn=9780958034180 |page=209 |edition=3rd}}
Distribution and habitat
Thomasia solanacea usually grows as an undershrub in woodland and occurs between Denmark, the Stirling Range and Mount Manypeaks in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia.
Conservation status
Thomasia solanacea is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is rare or near threatened.{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=27 February 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q17580955}}
Category:Rosids of Western Australia
Category:Plants described in 1812