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''Boronia'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of about 160 species of flowering plants in the citrus family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Rutaceae
The Rutaceae is a family, commonly known as the rueRUTACEAE
in BoDD – Botanical Der ...
. Most are in BoDD – Botanical Der ...
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to Australia with a few species in New Caledonia, which were previously placed in the genus ''Boronella''. They occur in all Australian states but the genus is under review and a number of species are yet to be described or have the description published. Boronias are similar to familiar plants in the genera ''Zieria
''Zieria'' is a genus of plants in the family, Rutaceae. About sixty species have been formally described, all of which are endemic to Australia except for one species which is found in New Caledonia. They occur in all Australian states except ...
'', ''Eriostemon
''Eriostemon'' is a genus of flowering plants of the family Rutaceae. It is native to eastern Australia and includes just two species, '' E. australasius'' and '' E. banksii''. ''Eriostemon australasius'', commonly known as pink wax flower, oc ...
'' and '' Correa'' but can be distinguished from them by the number of petals or stamens. Some species have a distinctive fragrance and are popular garden plants.
Description
Plants in the genus ''Boronia'' are nearly always shrubs although a very small number occur as herbs or as small trees. The leaves are usually arranged in opposite pairs and may be simple leaves orcompound leaves
A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, ste ...
with up to nineteen or more leaflets, in either a pinnate
Pinnation (also called pennation) is the arrangement of feather-like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis. Pinnation occurs in biological morphology, in crystals, such as some forms of ice or metal crystals, and in ...
or bipinnate
The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...
arrangement. The flowers are arranged in groups in the leaf axils or on the ends of the branches and have both male and female parts. There are usually four separate sepal
A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coine ...
s, usually four separate petals and generally eight stamens. (In ''Zieria'' there are only four stamens, ''Eriostemon'' species have five petals and in ''Correa'' the petals are joined to form a bell-shaped tube.) There are four carpels with their styles fused and there are two ovule
In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. It consists of three parts: the '' integument'', forming its outer layer, the ''nucellus'' (or remnant of the megasporangium), and the ...
s in each carpel.
Taxonomy and naming
The genus ''Boronia'' was first formally described in 1798 byJames Edward Smith James Edward Smith may refer to:
* James Edward Smith (botanist), English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society
* James Edward Smith (murderer), American murderer
* James Edward Smith (politician), Canadian businessman and mayor of Toronto
* ...
and the description was published in ''Tracts Relating to Natural History''. The name ''Boronia'' honours Francesco Borone (1769 - 1794), Italian naturalist and plant collector, who assisted John Sibthorp
John Sibthorp (28 October 1758 – 8 February 1796) was an England, English botanist.
Education
Sibthorp graduated from the University of Oxford in 1777 where he was an undergraduate student at Lincoln College, Oxford. He subsequently stud ...
in Greece and Turkey, Adam Afzelius
Adam Afzelius (8 October 175020 January 1837) was a Swedish botanist and an apostle of Carl Linnaeus. Afzelius was born at Larv in Västergötland in 1750. He was appointed teacher of oriental languages at Uppsala University in 1777, and in 17 ...
in Sierra Leone and James Edward Smith during his European tour in 1787.
Boronia
''Boronia'' is a genus of about 160 species of flowering plants in the citrus family Rutaceae. Most are endemic to Australia with a few species in New Caledonia, which were previously placed in the genus ''Boronella''. They occur in all Austral ...
, an outer suburb of Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
in Australia was named after a boronia found growing in the area.
Distribution and habitat
Boronias are found in all states and mainland territories of Australia and generally grow in open forests or woodlands, only rarely in rainforests or arid areas.Use in horticulture
Boronias, especially '' B. megastigma'', are known for their perfumed flowers. Most are regarded as desirable specimens in the garden, however, many are difficult to grow in cultivation. All species require excellent drainage and part shade.See also
* List of ''Boronia'' speciesReferences
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1784226 Zanthoxyloideae genera