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coast beard-heath

Scientific Name: Leucopogon parviflorus

Family: Epacridaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Leucopogon parviflorus: Coast Beard-heath or Native Currant

Leucopogon parviflorus, commonly known as coast beard-heath or native currant, is a shrub or small tree native to Australia and the Chatham Islands.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the plant produces fleshy, white, bead-like fruits (berries).
  • It is described as a shrub or small tree, implying potential accessibility for pets in gardens or natural settings.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that the plant produces fleshy, white, bead-like fruits (berries).
  • It is described as a shrub or small tree, implying potential accessibility for children in gardens or natural settings.

Quirky Facts

  • The common name, Coast Beard-heath, comes from the dense hairs (or beard) on the petals.
  • The genus name, Leucopogon, is named for its tiny white 5 petalled flowers, which have a dense hairy 'beard' inside the floral tube.
  • The fleshy, white, bead-like fruits are edible.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Leucopogon parviflorus (Andrews) Lindl.
  • Family: Ericaceae
  • Genus: Leucopogon (approximately 230 species, with around 200 native to Australia)
  • Synonyms: It was referenced in Edwards's Botanical Register in 1833 (Edwards's Bot.Reg. 18: Tab. 1560 (1833)).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Australia and the Chatham Islands.
  • Common along the NSW South Coast & ACT
  • Often found in coastal heathlands.
  • It can be a dominant or co-dominant species in Coastal Moonah Woodland.
  • Grows in the Perth coastal region.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Erect shrub to small tree, typically reaching 120-500 cm in height (2.0m - 4.0m according to one source).
  • Finer branches are softly hairy.
  • Stiff leaves are elliptical to oblanceolate (reversed spear-shaped), 10-30 mm long and 2.5-7.5 mm wide.
  • Flowers are white and highly scented, occurring on short spikes.
  • Small (4 – 5mm) white berries that have an almost pearl like glow when they are fully ripe.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The fruit is spread by birds.
  • Very popular with native birds (who eat the little white berries in early summer)
  • The shrub provides habitat to the Regent bowerbird.

Additional Information

  • Flowers during winter and spring. (Flowering: June - November)
  • Considered not threatened in some regions.