Phebalium whitei

Description

Phebalium whitei is a small shrub which is endemic to Queensland in Australia. The species occurs in the Darling Downs region, where it is found in damp areas such as cracks in flat expanses of granite or along creek banks and also in open heathland. It grows to a height of around 50 cm, and has dark green, oblong leaves up to 6 cm in length. The flowers, which are the largest in the genus are bright yellow and occur from mid winter to late spring (July to November in Australia). The species was originally classified as a variety of Phebalium squamulosum and was given the name Phebalium squamulosum var. grandiflorum by C.T.White in 1939. The type specimen was obtained from Wybera, Queensland in 1932. In 1970 botanist Paul G. Wilson reclassified this variety as a species in its own right and gave it its current name. Phebalium whitei is considered a vulnerable species within Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Australia Post issued a 50c postage stamp in February 2007 depicting the species.