Heath Mirbelia

Mirbelia rubiifolia

"Mirbelia rubiifolia" is a small and spreading shrub in the family Fabaceae. Heath Mirbelia is endemic to Australia. It is found in sclerophyll forest and woodlands, as well as heath on sandy soils on the coast or tablelands, often in areas liable to inundation. Distribution is from Croajingolong National Park in Victoria northward to Queensland.
Heath Mirbelia Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Mirbelia rubiifolia,Spring

Appearance

A ground hugging plant, "Mirbelia rubiifolia" seldom reaches more than 30 cm tall. The pointed leaves are arranged in threes, mostly 1 to 2.5 cm long and 2 to 4 mm wide. The leaves are made conspicuous by the prominent leaf veins on the upper surface. Attractive purple or pink flowers form in spring between September to December. Rare occurrences of white flowers have been recorded. The fruit is an egg-shaped pod, around 5 mm long.
Heathy Mirbelia - Mirbelia rubiifolia Australia,Geotagged,Heath Mirbelia,Mirbelia rubifolia,Mirbelia rubiifolia,Spring

Naming

"Mirbelia rubiifolia" was first described as "Pultenaea rubiaefolia" by Henry Cranke Andrews in 1804. It had been taken to England and cultivated in Hammersmith in 1792. James Edward Smith gave it the name of "Mirbelia reticulata" in 1805 but the name was ruled illegal, but it was later placed in that genus by Scottish botanist George Don in 1832. Its species name is derived from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the genus "Rubus".

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusMirbelia
SpeciesM. rubiifolia
Photographed in
Australia