Phebalium tuberculosum



Phebalium tuberculosum is a species of erect shrub that is endemic to Western Australia. It has glandular-warty and scaly branchlets and leaves and white flowers arranged in umbels of three or four with rust-coloured scales on the back of the petals.

Description
Phebalium tuberculosum is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.3–4.0 m with glandular-warty branchlets, leaves and sepals. The leaves are oblong with the edges rolled under, appearing more or less cylindrical, and are about 4–7 mm long and about 1 mm wide. The flowers are borne in umbels of three or four, each flower on a thick pedicel 2–5 mm long covered with rust-coloured scales. The five sepals are 2–3 mm long, joined at the base. The petals are white, broadly elliptical, 3–4.5 mm long and 2–3.5 mm wide, with silvery to rust-coloured scales on the back. Flowering occurs from September to December.

Taxonomy
This species was first formally described in 1862 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Eriostemon tuberculosus and published the description his book The Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria.

The following year, George Bentham changed the name to Phebalium tuberculosum, publishing the change in Flora Australiensis.

Distribution and habitat
Phebalium tuberculosum grows on lateritic hills, on granite dunes and plains between Kalbarri, Katanning and Zanthus in Western Australia.

Conservation status
This phebalium is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.