Isotoma axillaris
Lindl. Showy IsotomeMinutely pubescent to glabrescent, decumbent to erect perennial, to c. 50 cm high; stems often maroon-tinged. Leaves ovate or obovate in outline, 1.5–12 cm long, to c. 6 cm wide, pinnatisect, lobes linear to linear-lanceolate, simple or toothed. Flowers solitary in upper axils; pedicels 3–17 cm long, minutely pubescent. Calyx-lobes 4.5–11 mm long; corolla 25–45 mm long; lobes subequal or upper 2 slightly narrower, bright blue-mauve (rarely white or pinkish), oblanceolate to lanceolate, 9–18 mm long, 2.2–6.5 mm wide, tube c. 17–24 mm long, very shortly slit; filaments 18–24 mm long, anther tube 4–6 mm long, seta of lower anthers c. 1.7–2.3 mm long. Capsule obconical, slightly compressed, 8–18 mm long; seeds c. cylindrical, 0.7–1 mm long, brown, alveoles c. isodiametric. Flowers and fruits most of year.
Wim, VRiv, MuF, GipP, Gold, CVU, EGL, HSF, HNF, VAlp. Also Qld, NSW. A herb of dry open rocky areas, often associated with granite outcrops.
Knox (2014) transferred Isotoma axillaris and allied species, I. petraea and I. anethifolia (neither in Victoria) to a new genus, Lithotoma. Although Lithotoma is recognisable morphologically (the tubular corolla and lithophytic habitat are distinctive), and forms a distinct group in a large molecular analysis, the group is nested within many other taxa still retained as Isotoma. Pending additional studies, the species is here retained in Isotoma.
Albrecht, D.E.; Walsh, N.G. (1999). Campanulaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 553–553. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning