Epacris petrophila

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Epacris petrophila
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Epacris
Species:
E. petrophila
Binomial name
Epacris petrophila

Epacris petrophila, commonly known as the snow heath, is a low-lying shrub, 30-60 cm in height with flowers in short leafy clusters (appearing from December to February), occurring in alpine and subalpine feldmark, heath and bogs.[1][2] Epacris petrophila is in the Epacridaceae plant Family and its conservation status is described as "near threatened".[3]

Epacris petrophila grows in the alpine and subalpine regions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.[2][4][5]

The seeds of Epacris petrophila are very small, weighting about 1/50th of a gram and half a millimetre in length; they are oval-shaped and marked with a net-like surface pattern.[6] Their microscopic size indicates dispersal by wind or water, or in mud stuck to the feet of birds in boggy habitats.[3]

The seed of the Epacris petrophila plant was featured on the $1 postage stamp issued 8 October 2019 by Australia Post.[7] The stamp issue was one of three stamps, each featuring the seeds of threatened Australian plant species, recognising the work of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership.[3][6]

Epacris petrophila is a characteristic and locally abundant species of ‘windswept feldmark’ ecological communities in alpine and sub-alpine areas of south-eastern Australia. In 2014 the NSW Scientific Committee, established under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995), made a preliminary determination supporting the proposal to list ‘windswept feldmark’ in the Australian Alps bioregion as a “Critically Endangered Ecological Community” (as defined in the Act). The committee identified two major threats to ‘windswept feldmark’ communities: (1) trampling by humans associated with walking track use, resulting in soil erosion and changes in plant community composition; (2) the effects of climate change, specifically warming and drying effects and an increase in fire frequency.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ Epacris petrophila, Mt. Stilwell, Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, 28/12/14.
  2. ^ a b J. M. Powell, Epacris petrophila Hook.f., New South Wales Flora Online.
  3. ^ a b c "Seed Banking Australia $1 Stamp Release". Australian Seed Bank Partnership. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  4. ^ Greg Jordan, Epacris petrophila (Ericaceae) 2:446.
  5. ^ "Epacris petrophila". Alpine Garden Society Plant Encyclopaedia. Alpine Garden Society. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Seed Banking Australia". Australia Post Collectables. Australia Post. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  7. ^ Australian Plants on Stamps.
  8. ^ Prof. Michelle Leishman (Chairperson, NSW Scientific Committee) (2014). "Windswept Feldmark in the Australian Alps Bioregion" (PDF). NSW Scientific Committee. Retrieved 9 October 2021.


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