Flora of the Pilliga Forests: Hemigenia cuneifolia

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Hemigenia cuneifolia

Delicate mauve tubular flowers of Hemigenia cuneifolia

Family - Lamiaceae

Common name - nil

Flowers - Mauve tubular flowers (8mm long) with upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip longer and 3-lobed [differs from Prostanthera in having 5-toothed calyx, not 2-lipped]. Flowers occur in leaf axils. Can flower from Aug to Apr. I have seen them flowering in Oct.

Leaves - Flat, wedged-shaped leaves in whorls of 3, up to 3cm long and 4mm wide, with a pointed apex. The central vein on the upper surface of the leaf is depressed.

Habit and habitat - Hemigenia cuneifolia is recorded to grow up to 2mt tall, but at this time I have only seen it growing to about 70cm high, and very spindly growth habit. It grows in dry sclerophyll forests on sandstone derived soils

Positioning of flowers in leaf axils

Leaves of Hemigenia cuneifolia

Spindly, straggly habit of Hemigenia cuneifolia in The Pilliga

The Pilliga Forest is the largest remaining continuous remnant of semi-arid woodland in NSW, consisting of about 500,000 hectares of public bushland. The environment changes from cypress pine to ironbark to scribbly gum to box, and back again, interspersed with expansive heaths and a network of sandy creeks. The Pilliga is recognised as one of the most important areas for biodiversity in eastern Australia and is home to more than 350 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs. To many who travel through the area, the woodlands might look monotonous, but if you drive the back roads slowly or wander amongst the vegetation, you will discover that The Pilliga is full of life and richness and wonder. It is truly a special place, and of huge significance to the survival of countless native plants and animals.