Leptecophylla parvifolia

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Internal links:             Angiosperms > Eudicots > Superastrids > Basal Asterids > Asterids > Ericales > Ericaceae > Leptecophylla parvifolia

External links:     Angiosperms > Eudicots > Superastrids > Basal Asterids > 

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperms > Eudicots > Asterids >    

Other links:     

Plant  information

Common name:                unknown  

Conservation status:  unknown

Etymology:   

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• World:            S,    G

• Australia:      S,    G

Additional notes:     

• Leptecophylla parvifolia, commonly known as the mountain pinkberry, is a small to medium sized shrub within the Ericaceae family and is endemic to the highlands of Tasmania.[1]  This species was first collected and documented in 1804 by Robert Brown and was formerly included in the Cythodes genus.[1] It was then as noted as subspecies of Leptecophylla junipernia but in 2018, was classified as its own species

• Habit

• It grows as an erect, compact, and rounded shrub, typically wider than it is high.[1] This species typically ranges in height from 50-150cm, rarely exceeding 2m.[2] L. parvifolia is common in open eucalypt woodlands and within rainforest communities.[1] It occurs throughout the southern, central and northeast highlands of Tasmania at altitudes above 500 metres and can form the dominant shrub layer in some locations (e.g. the Central Plateau).[1] In the southeast, its primarily found on rocky dolerite slopes but also can occur on Carboniferous-Devonian rock types

• Description

• The leaves of this species are small, hence the name ‘parvifolia’ which translates roughly to ‘small leaves’.[citation needed] The leaves are alternately arranged and smaller than other Leptecophylla species, often <7mm, dark green in colour and pungent.[1][4] They are linear-lanceolate while the margins are slightly recurved, the apex of the leaves comes to a sharp point. The abaxial surface is pale white and waxy which displays a distinct striate pattern. However, the venation is typically narrow palmate and gives the appearance of being parallel due to the curvature of the margins and small leaf size

• This species bares small, white, bell shaped flowers that are smaller than then that of the other species in this genus.[1] It flowers from September to January and by late spring, has masses of small edible pink/red berries up to 8mm in diameter[6]