Speckled snakebush facts for kids

Hemiandra linearis, commonly known as speckled snakebush, is a species of prostrate to ascending shrub that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.

Description

Hemiandra linearis is a prostrate to ascending shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 60 cm (24 in). It has leaves 15–25 mm (0.59–0.98 in) long and 1–5 mm (0.039–0.197 in) wide arranged in opposite pairs. The are four sepals joined at the base with lobes 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long. The petals are 15–25 mm (0.59–0.98 in) long and white, cream-coloured, purple, lilac or violet with dots or stripes near the base. Flowering occurs from October to November or December.

Taxonomy

Hemiandra linearis was formally described in 1837 by George Bentham in Stephan Endlicher's Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel from material collected near the Swan River by Charles von Hügel.

Distribution and habitat

This hemiandra grows in sand in the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions in the south-west of Western Australia.

Conservation status

This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia).