Large-fruited thomasia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Large-fruited thomasia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thomasia
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| Species: |
macrocarpa
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Thomasia macrocarpa, commonly known as large-fruited thomasia, is a shrub that is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia.
Description
Thomasia macrocarpa is a small, spreading shrub growing to about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide. The stems are hairy, the grey-green leaves 30–120 mm (1.2–4.7 in) long and 15–70 mm (0.59–2.76 in) wide with finely toothed margins and star-shaped hairs. The leaves are heart to egg-shaped, velvety when young and become smooth as they age. The conspicuous pink to purple flowers are produced between August and November in the species' native range. Occasionally white flowers are seen. The flowers are about 10 mm (0.39 in) in diameter with a perianth consisting of two bracts and the pedicel 7–15 mm (0.28–0.59 in) long. The flower petals are small lobes and the surface is covered in star-shaped hairs. The flowers are followed by capsules containing black seeds which are shed from the plant when ripe.
Taxonomy and naming
Thomasia macrocarpa was first formally described by Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher in 1839 based on a horticultural specimen and published the description in Novarum Stirpium Decades. The specific epithet is derived from the ancient Greek words makros (μακρός) meaning "long" and karpos (καρπός) meaning "fruit".
