Stirlingia
Encyclopedia
Stirlingia, commonly known as Blueboy, is a genus of 7 species in the family Proteaceae
, all of which are endemic to Western Australia
.
arising from a perennial tap root or woody root stock; the herbaceous nature of some species is unique to Stirlingia among the Proteaceae
. They grow to heights ranging from 10 centimetres to 1.5 metres. Leaves are soft and leathery, and bifurcated along their length. They occur mostly on lower parts of the stems. Flowers occur in inflorescence
s that are either heads or very short spikes.
in 1810, under the name Simsia. Brown initially published two species, Simsia anethifolia and Simsia tenuifolia, adding a third, Simsia latifolia in 1830. It was later discovered that Brown's generic name was illegal, as the name Simsia
had already been published in 1807 by Christian Hendrik Persoon
. Therefore in 1838 Stephan Endlicher published a new name for the genus. He chose the name Stirlingia, in honour of James Stirling
, explorer of the Swan River and first Governor of Western Australia
.
Despite publishing a new name for the genus, Endlicher omitted to formally transfer Brown's three species. In 1838, John Lindley
published two more names, Stirlingia paniculata and Stirlingia simplex
. Two years later Endlicher transferred Simsia anethifolia to Stirlingia anethifolia, and Ernst Steudel transferred the other two of Brown's species, as Stirlingia latifolia
and Stirlingia tenuifolia.
Two more species, Stirlingia abrotanoides and Stirlingia teretifolia, were published by Carl Meissner
in 1845. In 1848, some confusion was caused by an orthographic error in a work of Endlicher's, referring to Stirlingia anethifolia as Stirlingia acutifolia. Also that year, Meissner published an eighth species, Stirlingia affinis. He continued to publish new species publishing Stirlingia capillifolia in 1855, and Stirlingia intricata in 1856.
In 1870, George Bentham
published a treatment of the Stirlingia in his Flora Australiensis
, reducing the number of species to five, plus one variety: S. simplex,
S. abrotanoides, S. teretifolia, S. tenuifolia, S. tenuifolia var. anethifolia, and S. latifolia. Fourteen years later, Ferdinand von Mueller
somewhat disrupted the nomenclature of the genus by proposing to revert to the name Simsia, publishing Simsia abrotanoides, Simsia teretifolia and Simsia simplex for the first time. This was accepted as late as 1921, when Carl Ostenfeld published a further variety under Simsia, Simsia latifolia var. gracilis. In 1923, however, Karel Domin
published a new species under Stirlingia as Stirlingia seselifolia.
In 1995, Alex George
published a thorough treatment of the Stirlingia for the Flora of Australia
series of monographs. He reduced numerous names to synonymy, and published a further new species, Stirlingia divaricatissima. As a result, only seven species are now recognised:
No infrageneric arrangement has been proffered.
This genus is placed alone in subtribe Stirlingiinae, within the tribe Conospermeae of the subfamily Proteoideae
.
The common name Blueboy is used sometimes for the genus, but most often refers to the species S. latifolia
. The name comes from the fact that wall plaster turns blue if made using sand taken from where S. latifolia occurs.
. They occur in a range of soil types, including sand, clay, and laterite
; most species prefer low-lying areas that are seasonally wet.
Proteaceae
Proteaceae is a family of flowering plants distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises about 80 genera with about 1600 species. Together with the Platanaceae and Nelumbonaceae they make up the order Proteales. Well known genera include Protea, Banksia, Embothrium, Grevillea,...
, all of which are endemic to Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.
Description
Stirlingia grows as a shrub or herbHerb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
arising from a perennial tap root or woody root stock; the herbaceous nature of some species is unique to Stirlingia among the Proteaceae
Proteaceae
Proteaceae is a family of flowering plants distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises about 80 genera with about 1600 species. Together with the Platanaceae and Nelumbonaceae they make up the order Proteales. Well known genera include Protea, Banksia, Embothrium, Grevillea,...
. They grow to heights ranging from 10 centimetres to 1.5 metres. Leaves are soft and leathery, and bifurcated along their length. They occur mostly on lower parts of the stems. Flowers occur in inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s that are either heads or very short spikes.
Taxonomy
The genus was first published by Robert BrownRobert Brown (botanist)
Robert Brown was a Scottish botanist and palaeobotanist who made important contributions to botany largely through his pioneering use of the microscope...
in 1810, under the name Simsia. Brown initially published two species, Simsia anethifolia and Simsia tenuifolia, adding a third, Simsia latifolia in 1830. It was later discovered that Brown's generic name was illegal, as the name Simsia
Simsia
Simsia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It comprises 23 species that include annuals, herbaceous perennials, and shrubs...
had already been published in 1807 by Christian Hendrik Persoon
Christian Hendrik Persoon
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon was a mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus' mushroom taxonomy.-Early life:...
. Therefore in 1838 Stephan Endlicher published a new name for the genus. He chose the name Stirlingia, in honour of James Stirling
James Stirling (Australian governor)
Admiral Sir James Stirling RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. His enthusiasm and persistence persuaded the British Government to establish the Swan River Colony and he became the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Western Australia...
, explorer of the Swan River and first Governor of Western Australia
Governor of Western Australia
The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia's Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:* presiding over the Executive Council;...
.
Despite publishing a new name for the genus, Endlicher omitted to formally transfer Brown's three species. In 1838, John Lindley
John Lindley
John Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
published two more names, Stirlingia paniculata and Stirlingia simplex
Stirlingia simplex
Stirlingia simplex is a plant endemic to Western Australia.-Description:A woody perennial, S. simplex can grow as a shrub or as suckering herb with short-lived stems arising from a perennial rootstock. Stems may be up to ten centimetres long, and the plant as a whole grows to a height of from...
. Two years later Endlicher transferred Simsia anethifolia to Stirlingia anethifolia, and Ernst Steudel transferred the other two of Brown's species, as Stirlingia latifolia
Stirlingia latifolia
Stirlingia latifolia, commonly known as Blueboy, is a plant endemic to Western Australia.-Description:It grows as an erect shrub from 20 centimetres to 1.5 metres high, consisting of numerous stems up to 70 centimetres long, emerging from an underground lignotuber. Leaves are leathery, up to 10...
and Stirlingia tenuifolia.
Two more species, Stirlingia abrotanoides and Stirlingia teretifolia, were published by Carl Meissner
Carl Meissner
Carl Daniel Friedrich Meissner was a Swiss botanist.Born in Bern, Switzerland on 1 November 1800, he was christened Meisner but later changed the spelling of his name to Meissner. For most of his 40 year career he was Professor of Botany at University of Basel...
in 1845. In 1848, some confusion was caused by an orthographic error in a work of Endlicher's, referring to Stirlingia anethifolia as Stirlingia acutifolia. Also that year, Meissner published an eighth species, Stirlingia affinis. He continued to publish new species publishing Stirlingia capillifolia in 1855, and Stirlingia intricata in 1856.
In 1870, George Bentham
George Bentham
George Bentham CMG FRS was an English botanist, characterized by Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century".- Formative years :...
published a treatment of the Stirlingia in his Flora Australiensis
Flora Australiensis
Flora Australiensis: a description of the plants of the Australian Territory, more commonly referred to as Flora Australiensis, and also known by its standard abbreviation Fl. Austral., is a seven-volume flora of Australia published between 1863 and 1878 by George Bentham, with the assistance of...
, reducing the number of species to five, plus one variety: S. simplex,
S. abrotanoides, S. teretifolia, S. tenuifolia, S. tenuifolia var. anethifolia, and S. latifolia. Fourteen years later, Ferdinand von Mueller
Ferdinand von Mueller
Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, KCMG was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist.-Early life:...
somewhat disrupted the nomenclature of the genus by proposing to revert to the name Simsia, publishing Simsia abrotanoides, Simsia teretifolia and Simsia simplex for the first time. This was accepted as late as 1921, when Carl Ostenfeld published a further variety under Simsia, Simsia latifolia var. gracilis. In 1923, however, Karel Domin
Karel Domin
Karel Domin was a Czech botanist and politician.After gymnasium school studies in Příbram, he studied botany at the Charles University in Prague, and graduated in 1906. In 1916 he was named as professor of botany. Domin specialised in phytogeography, geobotany and plant taxonomy...
published a new species under Stirlingia as Stirlingia seselifolia.
In 1995, Alex George
Alex George
Alexander Segger George is a Western Australian botanist. He is the authority on the plant genera Banksia and Dryandra...
published a thorough treatment of the Stirlingia for the Flora of Australia
Flora of Australia (series)
The Flora of Australia is a 59 volume series describing the vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens present in Australia and its external territories...
series of monographs. He reduced numerous names to synonymy, and published a further new species, Stirlingia divaricatissima. As a result, only seven species are now recognised:
- S. abrotanoides
- S. anethifolia
- S. divaricatissima
- S. latifoliaStirlingia latifoliaStirlingia latifolia, commonly known as Blueboy, is a plant endemic to Western Australia.-Description:It grows as an erect shrub from 20 centimetres to 1.5 metres high, consisting of numerous stems up to 70 centimetres long, emerging from an underground lignotuber. Leaves are leathery, up to 10...
- S. seselifolia
- S. simplexStirlingia simplexStirlingia simplex is a plant endemic to Western Australia.-Description:A woody perennial, S. simplex can grow as a shrub or as suckering herb with short-lived stems arising from a perennial rootstock. Stems may be up to ten centimetres long, and the plant as a whole grows to a height of from...
- S. tenuifolia
No infrageneric arrangement has been proffered.
This genus is placed alone in subtribe Stirlingiinae, within the tribe Conospermeae of the subfamily Proteoideae
Proteoideae
Proteoideae is one of five subfamilies of the flowering plant family Proteaceae. The greatest diversity of Proteoideae is in Africa, but there are also many species in Australia; a few species occur in South America, New Caledonia, and elsewhere.-Taxonomy:...
.
The common name Blueboy is used sometimes for the genus, but most often refers to the species S. latifolia
Stirlingia latifolia
Stirlingia latifolia, commonly known as Blueboy, is a plant endemic to Western Australia.-Description:It grows as an erect shrub from 20 centimetres to 1.5 metres high, consisting of numerous stems up to 70 centimetres long, emerging from an underground lignotuber. Leaves are leathery, up to 10...
. The name comes from the fact that wall plaster turns blue if made using sand taken from where S. latifolia occurs.
Distribution and habitat
They are endemic to the Southwest Botanical Province of Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. They occur in a range of soil types, including sand, clay, and laterite
Laterite
Laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are rusty-red because of iron oxides. They develop by intensive and long-lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock...
; most species prefer low-lying areas that are seasonally wet.