| Slit-wing bluebush | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Maireana |
| Species: | M. georgei |
| Binomial name | |
| Maireana georgei | |
| Synonyms | |
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Maireana georgei, commonly known as slit-wing bluebush or satiny bluebush, [2] is a flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a grey-green perennial shrub with woolly branches and small flowers. [3]
Maireana georgei is an upright, open-branched shrub to about 80 cm (31 in) high with woolly, short, matted hairs. The leaves are arranged alternately, linear or slightly needle-shaped, 6–15 mm (0.24–0.59 in) long and succulent. Flowers are borne singly in leaf axils, small, pinkish or satiny brown, bisexual, fruiting perianth smooth, 14–20 mm (0.55–0.79 in) in diameter, slightly veined, tube top-shaped. Fruiting occurs from September to October. [4] [5]
In 1904 Friedrich Ludwig Emil Diels gave it the name Kochia georgei. [6] In 1975 Paul G. Wilson changed the name to Maireana georgei and the description was published in Nuytsia. [7] [8] The specific epithet (georgei) is in honor of William James George. [9]
Slit-wing bluebush grows on sand, loams, clay and stony locations in all mainland states and the North Territory of Australia. [2] [4]
