Prior names
Phlegmatospermum cochlearinum var. eremaeum
Hutchinsia eremaea
Etymology
Phlegmatospermum from the Greek 'phlegma' meaning inflammation and 'sperma' meaning a seed, referring to the mucous seeds. Eremaeum from the Greek 'eremos' meaning desert and suffix 'eum' meaning belonging to, referring to the habitat of the species in semi-arid areas.
Distribution and status
Scattered distributions on the Nullarbor and in the north-eastern and central parts of South Australia, growing in open mallee on calcareous clay or loam. Also found in Western Australia and Victoria. Native. Uncommon in South Australia. Rare in Victoria. Uncommon in Western Australia.
Herbarium regions: Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula
NRM regions: Northern and Yorke, South Australian Murray-Darling Basin
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Annual herbs, mostly prostrate to spreading, with slender stems to 10 cm long, covered in appressed hairs. Basal leaves in rosette, to 4 cm long; pinnately lobed or scalloped, rarely entire; stem leaves obovate, to 2 cm long, toothed. Inflorescence a dense cluster with white or cream flowers, sometimes with purple bases and veins. Flowering between July and November. Fruits are brown spoon-shaped pod to 4 mm long, not winged, apex slightly notched, valves hairy with hairs often on a tuberculate base. Seed embryo type is bent.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between September and December. Collect maturing pods, those turning pale brown with hard seeds inside. Be gentle with the pods as they split open easily. Place the pods in a tray and cover with paper to prevent seeds from popping out and leave to dry for a week. Then rub the dried pods gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA MSB | 2,900 (0.8 g) 2,900 (0.8 g) | 50+ | 20-Sep-2017 | DJD3659 Murray | 30-Jun-2018 | 90% | -18°C |