Alpine rusty-pods | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Hovea |
Species: | H. montana |
Binomial name | |
Hovea montana (Hook.f.) J.H.Ross | |
Synonyms | |
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Hovea montana, commonly known as alpine hovea, mountain hovea or alpine rusty-pods, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a small shrub with narrow leaves and purple pea flowers.
Description
Hovea montana is a small, low growing shrub usually 15–40 cm (5.9–15.7 in) high and 1–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in) in diameter. The stems and branches are thickly covered with soft, loosely flattened hairs. The leaves are narrow-elliptic shaped, mostly 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) wide, with a depressed midrib, the margins curved downward. The upper surface smooth and hairless, the lower surface is thickly covered with fine, soft hairs. The purple-blue or white flowers are borne singly or in pairs, about 10 mm (0.39 in) long on a peduncle about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The calyx is 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long with rusty-coloured, short, matted hairs. Flowering occurs from October to December and the fruit is a pod about 10 mm (0.39 in) long and densely covered with rusty-coloured hairs.
Taxonomy and naming
Hovea montana was first formally described in 1988 by J.H.Ross and the description was published in Muelleria. The specific epithet (montana) refers to mountains or coming from mountains.
Distribution and habitat
Alpine rusty-pods is mostly found in open heath, woodlands and grassy situations at higher altitudes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
References
- "Hovea montana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- Corrick, M.G.; Fuhrer, B.A. (2001). Wildflowers of Victoria and adjoining areas. Australia: Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473142.
- Jones, D.L. "New South Wales Flora Online: Hovea montana". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- ^ Thompson, I.R. "Hovea montana". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Hovea montana". VICFLORA-Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Garden Victoria. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- Ross, J.H. (1988). "Muelleria". 6 (6 ed.). Melbourne: National Herbarium of Victoria: 427.
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(help) - Archibald William Smith A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins, p. 239, at Google Books
Taxon identifiers | |
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Hovea montana |
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Hovea purpurea var. montana |