Tetratheca juncea

Tetratheca juncea
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (EPBC Act)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Elaeocarpaceae
Genus:	Tetratheca
Species:	T. juncea
Binomial name
Tetratheca juncea

Tetratheca juncea, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan or Pink Bells,^[2] is a small shrub in the family Elaeocarpaceae. Endemic to New South Wales, it is not related to other plants known as Black-eyed Susan around the world.

Appearance

Tetratheca juncea has a sprawling habit with stems, usually leafless, between 30 and 60 cm long. Stems usually have 2 to 3 narrow wings which can distinguish the plant from other Tetratheca species. Its four petalled flowers face downward and vary from white to pink to dark purple in colour.^[1]

T. juncea reproduces by spreading underground stems up to 50 cm or sexually, however this requires pollination by insects.^[1]

Location

It is found largely in the grassy groundcover of low open forest/woodland with a mixed shrub understorey. This plant prefers cooler southerly aspects and well-drained soils, thus often occurring on ridges.

The vulnerable status of T. juncea reflects its confinement to a small area in the northern part of the Sydney Basin bioregion and the southern part of the North Coast bioregion.^[3] Within that area, however, the plant is quite plentiful.^[4] Larger populations are considered especially important for the conservation of this species.^[1]

References

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