Synaphea decumbens

Synaphea decumbens

Priority Three — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Synaphea
Species:
S. decumbens
Binomial name
Synaphea decumbens

Synaphea decumbens is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with low-lying branches, wedge-shaped to fan-shaped leaves and spikes of moderately crowded yellow flowers.

Description

Synaphea decumbens is a shrub with low-lying stems up to 70 cm (28 in) and covered with soft, spreading hairs. The leaves are wedge-shaped to fan-shaped, 40–100 mm (1.6–3.9 in) long and 25–50 mm (0.98–1.97 in) wide on a petiole 10–40 mm (0.39–1.57 in) long, the end lobes more or less triangular. The flowers are yellow and borne in moderately crowded spikes 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) long on a peduncle 50–100 mm (2.0–3.9 in) long. The perianth has a wide opening, the upper tepal 6.0–6.5 mm (0.24–0.26 in) long and 2.8 mm (0.11 in) wide and very convex, the lower tepal 5.0–5.5 mm (0.20–0.22 in) long. The stigma is oblong, expanded at the base and notched. Flowering occurs in September and October.[2][3]

Taxonomy

Synaphea decumbens was first formally described in 1995 by Alex George in the Flora of Australia from specimens he collected near Moorinup Lake in 1971.[2][4] The specific epithet (decumbens) means 'reclining'.[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Synaphea grows in sand over laterite in jarrah forest in the Jarrah Forest bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[3]

Conservation status

Synaphea decumbens is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations, but is not under imminent threat.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Synaphea decumbens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b George, Alex S. "Synaphea decumbens". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Synaphea decumbens". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ "Synaphea decumbens". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  5. ^ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 181. ISBN 9780645629538.
  6. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 21 August 2025.