Osteocarpum acropterum var. deminutum
(J.M.Black) Paul G.WilsonVegetatively resembling O. salsuginosum, but inclined to be more glaucous. Otherwise significantly differing only in the fruiting perianth having a distinct, deeply hollowed, subcylindric base 0.5–1 mm long, about equal in length to the body of the strongly ribbed fruit, and the keel which is produced into a prominent oar-shaped protuberance 1–1.5 mm long, a second, much shorter, conical protuberance sometimes present on the opposite side of the apex. Fruits most of year following rain.
LoM, MuM, VRiv, MSB, RobP, MuF. Largely co-extensive with O. salsuginosum, but recorded further from the Murray River at e.g. Wyperfeld National Park and Pink Lakes near Underbool.
This variety appears to be as closely related to O. salsuginosum as it is to the typical variety of O. acropterum from which it differs in the shorter, unwinged dorsal protuberance of the fruiting perianth. Osteocarpum acropterum var. acropterum has not been recorded from Victoria but is known to occur shortly to the north and west of the Mildura district.
Walsh, N.G. (1996). Chenopodiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 129–199. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
