Abutilon julianae
Abutilon julianae is a species of the genus Abutilon within the family (Malvaceae ). This rare species is found only on Norfolk Island and Phillip Island. On Norfolk Island it was long considered extinct, but there is currently operating a successful reintroduction program.
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Abutilon julianae grows as a shrub, reaching heights of growth of 1 meter or more. The bark of young stems is densely covered with tight-fitting soft stellate hairs ( trichomes ). The change-constant leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is 2-8 cm long. The simple leaf blade is broadly ovate with heart shaped Spreitenbasis at a length of 3 to 9 cm and a width of 2.5 to 7cm. The Spreitenrand is cut slightly irregular. The lower leaf surface is densely covered with tight-fitting stellate hairs and the leaf surface with time almost bald.
Generative features
The flowers appear singly in the leaf axils. The flower stems are 5 to 15 mm long. The hermaphrodite flowers are radial symmetry and fünfzählig. There is no by- cup available. The five densely covered with stellate hairs sepals are fused with a total length of 5 to 10 mm to about half their length. The yellow petals are shorter than the sepals. In the subfamily Malvoideae the many stamens are fused into a tube surrounding the stamp, the so-called Columna. It is about twice as long as the calyx and jutting out.
The gap fruit decays in 20 finely hairy, dreisamige part fruit.
Habitat
Abutilon julianae grows on steep slopes and cliffs as well as on open grasslands.
Threat status
Abutilon julianae is assessed by the Australian government as " threatened with extinction ". On the Norfolk Island this species was last seen in 1913. Apparently she was there exterminated by feral rabbits. As a rabbit eradication program was carried out on the Philip Island in the 1980s, it came in 1985 to the rediscovery of Abutilon julianae. Most specimens were found in the inaccessible south of the island. In 1988 there were three main areas, one with about 100 plants copies, with a further 18 individuals and a third with about 10 copies. Today the species is scattered throughout the western half and along the northern and southern coasts of Phillip Island. Currently operating in Norfolk Iceland National Park a resettlement program to Norfolk Island with an increasing growth rate.
Taxonomy
The first description of Abutilon julianae place in 1833 by Stephan Ladislaus finite in Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae, p 75 is on the herbarium specimen of the type: " Crescit in insula Norfolk, mense Januario florens. ( Ferd. Bauer). ".
Swell
- Datasheet in Flora of Australia online with data from PS Green in AJG Wilson (Editor) Flora of Australia, Volume 49, 1994, p 113-114, figure 38 ( section description)
- Entry in Australian Plant Name Index = Apni. (Section taxonomy)