Wahlenbergia graniticola
Carolin Tufted BluebellPerennial with thickened taproot; stems few-many from base, usually branched, rarely simple, glabrous, or hirsute near base, erect, to c. 50(–80) cm high, leafy throughout or only toward base; leaves alternate, oblanceolate (near base) to linear, 4–50(–80) mm long, 0.5–15 mm wide; margins entire or with a few small callus-teeth, flat or undulate. Hypanthium narrow-obconical, 2–5 mm long, glabrous; calyx-lobes erect, narrow-triangular, 2–6 mm long, glabrous; corolla narrowly campanulate, blue, often whitish outside, tube 2–9 mm long, usually longer than calyx-lobes, lobes elliptic to ovate, 5–20 mm long, 2.5–6 mm wide, acute; style 4.5–9.5 mm long, not or hardly constricted, lobes 3, oblong. Capsule obconical or narrowly obovoid, 3–9 mm long, 1.5–5 mm wide. Flowers mainly Oct.–Jan.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, VVP, VRiv, MSB, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, MonT, VAlp. All states except NT. Scattered through inland parts of the state (e.g. mallee areas, Mt Arapiles, Warby Ranges etc.), uncommon south of the Dividing Range, but locally common in coastal districts east of Bairnsdale.
Wahlenbergia littoricola has been distinguished from W. graniticola by its narrower leaves, smaller flowers and more freely branched stems. Plants from eastern coastal districts are fairly constant in these characteristics, but between there and the north-west of the state there is much intergradation in these features and the distinction becomes unworkable. Furthermore, there appear to be no ecological or geographical disjunctions to support the recognition of W. littoricola. Recognition at a level below species may be appropriate.
Walsh, N.G. (1999). Wahlenbergia. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 554–563. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning