Leionema diosmeum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leionema diosmeum
Scientific classification
Genus:	Leionema
Species:	diosmeum

Leionema diosmeum is a shrub species in the family Rutaceae that is endemic to southern New South Wales, Australia. It has an upright habit, stems with fine soft hairs, variable shaped leaves and yellow flowers from late winter to spring.

Description

Leionema diosmeum is a shrub to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high with smooth branches, leaves usually needle-shaped or occasionally oval to lance shaped,0.4–2 cm (0.16–0.79 in) long, 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide, rounded apex, upper surface smooth or covered in soft thin individual hairs or rarely fine rough hairs, lower surface with coarse star-shaped hairs. The inflorescence is a compact head at the end of branches, each flower in axils of linear bracts about 5 mm (0.20 in) long on a thick pedicel 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, calyx is an inverted top shape and deeply lobed. The flower petals a creamish-yellow, light red on the outside toward apex, 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long with occasional hairs tipped with glands. The fruit are upright, about 4 mm (0.16 in) long with an angled beak. Bears clusters of yellow flowers in spring.

Taxonomy

Leionema diosmeum was first formally described by Paul G. Wilson and the description was published in Nuytsia.

Distribution and habitat

This species grows on sandstone in dry sclerophyll forest and heath south of the Royal National Park in New South Wales.

Images for kids

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  Habit