Stenanthemum emarginatum

Stenanthemum emarginatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a spreading to prostrate shrub with sparsely hairy young stems, narrowly fan-shaped to linear leaves and densely, shaggy-hairy heads of white or cream-coloured flowers.

Description
Stenanthemum emarginatum is a spreading to prostrate shrub that typically grows to a height of 5–10 cm, its young stems sparsely hairy. Its leaves are narrowly fan-shaped to linear, 4.5–11 mm long and mostly 1.5–3.5 mm wide on a petiole 0.5–1.5 mm long, with triangular stipules 1.0–1.5 mm long and joined together at the base. The upper surface of the leaves is glabrous and the lower surface is covered with shaggy, silvery hairs. The flowers are sparsely to densely covered with shaggy, greyish hairs. The floral tube is 0.3–0.5 mm long and 0.5–0.7 mm wide, the sepals 0.6–1 mm long and the petals 0.5–0.6 mm long. Flowering occurs in November and December, and the fruit is 1.8–2.2 mm long.

Taxonomy and naming
Stenanthemum emarginatum was first formally described in 1995 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by Alex George near Ravensthorpe in 1960. The specific epithet (emarginatum) means "notched", referring to the leaves.

Distribution and habitat
This species grows in shrubland and mallee-heath between Gingin and Hopetoun in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status
Stenanthemum emarginatum is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.