''Phebalium squamulosum '', commonly known as scaly phebalium or forest phebalium, is a species of shrub or slender tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has smooth branches covered with rust-coloured scales, linear to elliptical or egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and pale to bright yellow flowers in umbels with rust-coloured or silvery scales on the back.

Description

''Phebalium squamulosum'' is a shrub that typically grows to a height of , sometimes a slender tree to . It has smooth branchlets covered with rust-coloured scales. The leaves are papery or leathery, linear to elliptical or egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide on a petiole long. The upper surface of the leaves is more or less glabrous but the lower side is covered with silvery to rust-coloured scales and star-shaped hairs. Between five and ten or more flowers are arranged in umbels on the ends of branchlets, each flower on a pedicel 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 to top-shaped, long and wide, glabrous on the inside and covered with scales on the outside. 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 pale to bright yellow or cream-coloured, elliptical, long with silvery to rust-coloured scales on the back. The fruit is a follicle about long and erect.

Taxonomy

''Phebalium squamulosum'' was first formally described in 1805 by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in his book ''Jardin de la Malmaison'' and was the first species in the genus to be described. In 1970, Paul Wilson described ten subspecies, eight of which are now accepted by the Australian Plant Census: *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''alpinum'' (Benth.) Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''argenteum'' Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''coriaceum'' Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''gracile'' Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''lineare'' Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''ozothamnoides'' (F.Muell.) Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''parvifolium'' Paul G.Wilson *''P. squamulosum'' Vent. subsp. ''squamulosum'' There are many intergrades between subspecies and it is sometimes difficult to satisfactorily assign some plants to a taxon.

Distribution and habitat

Scaly phebalium is widespread, mainly growing in heath and forest on sandstone. It is found in northern and south-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria.

Use in horticulture

''Phebalium squamulosum'' is cultivated as an ornamental flowering shrub. The species is frost tolerant and performs best in a well-drained, partially shaded position with a cool, moist root zone.

Image gallery

File:Phebalium squamulosum.jpg, ''P. squamulosum'', Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, 19 August 2017 File:Phebalium Squamulosum buds.jpg, ''P. squamulosum'' buds, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, 24 July 2011 File:Phebalium squamulosum var ozamthamnoides.jpg, ''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''ozothamnoides'', Hassans Walls near Lithgow, 19 September 2017 File:Phebalium squamulosum subspecies gracile.jpg, ''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''gracile'', in the ANBG File:Phebalium squamulosum subspecies lineare.jpg, ''P. squamulosum'' subsp. ''lineare'', in the ANBG

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7181157 squamulosum Flora of New South Wales Flora of Queensland Flora of Victoria (Australia) Taxa named by Étienne Pierre Ventenat Plants described in 1805