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Rare Bitterbush

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Rare Bitterbush photos

Scientific Name:Adriana quadripartita
Rare Bitterbush female plant
Female bush of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

Status:

Native to Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

Plant Description:

An erect, open shrub to 2 m high with pale undersides to its
lanceolate (spear-shaped) to ovate, serrated or coarsely toothed leaves; 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide.

Plants are either male or female. Flowers are yellow to green. The male flower spikes are up to 17 cm long, while female flowers grow in clusters. Fruit is an ovoid capsule of about 1 cm diameter.

Habitat:

Species of coastal habitats.

Comments:

There are two forms of Rare Bitterbush; the one pictured here being the glabrous (or hairless) form and a pubescent-hairy form, once known as
Adriana klotzschii. The glabrous form is listed as a threatened taxon in Victoria with a status of endangered. The larvae of a butterfly, known as the Bitter-bush Blue (Theclinesthes albocincta) feeds exclusively on Bitter-bush.

Rare Bitterbush Photos

Rare Bitterbush young fruit
Young fruit of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown
Rare Bitterbush fruit of varying ages
Rare Bitterbush fruits of different ages
Photo: A J Brown

Rare Bitterbush leaves
Leaves of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

Rare Bitterbush ripening fruit
Ripening fruit of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

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