Petrophile

Conebushes
Petrophile macrostachya
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Subfamily: Proteoideae
Tribe: Petrophileae
Genus: Petrophile
R.Br. ex Knight[1]
Type species
Petrophile pulchella
Species

See text

Synonyms[2]
  • Arthrostygma Steud. nom. inval., pro syn.
  • Atylus Salisb. nom. rej.
  • Petrophila R.Br. orth. var.
  • Petrophylla Cels orth. var.

Petrophile is a genus of evergreen shrubs, in the family Proteaceae. The genus is endemic to Australia. Commonly known as conebushes,[3] they typically have prickly, divided foliage and produce prominently-displayed pink, yellow or cream flowers followed by grey, conical fruits.[4]

Taxonomy

The genus Petrophile was first formally described in 1809 by Joseph Knight in On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae, preempting publication of the same name by Robert Brown in his book On the natural order of plants called Proteaceae.[5][6]

The name Petrophile is derived from the Greek words petra = rock and philos = seeking or preferring, referring to the rocky habitat in which some species grow.[7]

Species list

The following is a list of Petrophile species and subspecies accepted by the Australian Plant Census as at November 2020:[2]

Distribution

Species within this genus predominantly occur in Western Australia, but several species are found in other states including South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.[8]

Use in horticulture

Plants in this genus, particularly those from Western Australia, require a freely draining soil. They tolerate periods of dryness and mild frosts and will grow well in full sun or part shade. They can be propagated from cuttings taken in autumn or from seed, however the production of new plants by either method can be slow.[4][9]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Petrophile.
  1. ^ "Petrophile". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Petrophile". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Petrophile". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ a b Wrigley J.W. and Fagg M. (1979). Australian Native Plants. William Collins Publishers Sydney, Australia. ISBN 0-00-216416-7.
  5. ^ "Petrophile". APNI. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  6. ^ Knight, Joseph (1809). On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae. London: William Savage. pp. 92–93. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Petrophile pulchella". anpsa.org.au. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Petrophile". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
  9. ^ Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207154600.