''Phebalium bullatum'', commonly known as silvery phebalium, desert phebalium or sand phebalium, is a species of shrub that is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is more or less covered with silvery scales and has narrow oblong to narrow wedge-shaped leaves and yellow flowers in umbels of about six.

Description

''Phebalium bullatum'' is a shrub that typically grows to a height of and is more or less covered with silvery scales. The branchlets are also covered with warty glands. The leaves are thick, narrow oblong to narrow wedge-shaped, long, wide on a short petiole and V-shaped in cross-section. The upper surface of the leaves is glabrous and channelled, the lower surface convex and covered with silvery scales. The flowers are yellow and arranged in umbels of about six, each flower on a pedicel about long. The

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

is hemispherical, about long with broad triangular teeth and the

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s are broadly elliptical, about long and wide with silvery scales on the back. Flowering occurs from August to October.

Taxonomy

''Phebalium bullatum'' was first formally described in 1916 by John McConnell Black and the description was published in ''

Transactions and proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia The Royal Society of South Australia (RSSA) is a learned society whose interest is in science, particularly, but not only, of South Australia. The major aim of the society is the promotion and diffusion of scientific knowledge, particularly in rel ...

''.

Distribution and habitat

Silvery phebalium is found on sandy soils in mallee scrub between the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and north-western Victoria.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7181153 Flora of South Australia Flora of Victoria (Australia) bullatum Plants described in 1916 Taxa named by John McConnell Black