Dryandra
Dryandra species

Synonyms -

Family: - Proteaceae

Names:

Protea is from the sea god, Proteus, who could take on many forms an alludes to the great range of leaf shapes found in the Proteaceae family.

Other Names:

Summary:

Evergreen, perennial shrubs or trees with alternate, leathery, toothed or deeply divided leaves and many, paired flowers in a head on a flat base.

Description:

Cotyledons:

Two.

First leaves:

Leaves:

Alternate.
Stipules - None.
Petiole -
Blade - leathery, prickly toothed or divided almost to the midrib. Lower surface often covered with dense white hairs and a prominent midrib. Upper surface darker, usually smooth with a central furrow.
Stem leaves -

Stems:

Flower stem -

Flower head:

Terminal or on the side. Persistent bracts underneath and usually closely surrounded by leaves

Flowers:

In pairs, stalkless. Hermaphrodite. Each pair has a hairy, woolly bract underneath.
Ovary - Superior, 1 celled with 2 ovules, very small, usually hairy.
Style - Simple, slender, terminal
Stigma - Very small. Stigmatic disk very small, often 8 ribbed
Calyx - Usually yellow, almost radially symmetrical, usually straight. Linear claw and much narrower limb.
Perianth -
Sepals - 4, Joined in a short tube at the base, which is enclosed in bracts. Concavity in the limb.
Petals -
Stamens - 4, fertile, opposite sepals and inserted into them.
Anthers - Narrow, stalkless in a concavity in the sepal
4 very narrow, membranous nectary scales nectary scales, usually with a few long hairs close by.

Fruit:

Leathery to woody, flattened follicle, 2 broad valves, single or double septum separates the seed.

Seeds:

2, flattened, with a membranous wing on the end.

Roots:

Sometimes has a lignotuber.

Key Characters:

Leaves alternate. Often toothed or deeply divided
No stipules.
Numerous flowers in a dense head on a flat receptacle.
Flowers grouped, usually with each pair of flowers subtended by a common bract.
Involucre bracts usually conspicuous, not broadly based, persistent.
Calyx of 4 sepals.
Sepal limb not becoming spiralled.
4 stamens, opposite to and inserted into the perianth segments
Anther borne in a concavity, near the end of a sepal.
Superior ovary.
Fruit a 2 seeded follicle, often persistent.
Follicle with a septum separating the 2 seeds.
From Nancy Burbidge, and B.L. Rye.

Biology:

Life cycle:

Perennial

Physiology:

Reproduction:

By seed.

Flowering times:

Seed Biology and Germination:

Vegetative Propagules:

Hybrids:

Allelopathy:

Population Dynamics and Dispersal:

Dispersed by seed.

Origin and History:

Distribution:

ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA.

Habitats:

Climate:

Temperate.

Soil:

Plant Associations:

Significance:

Beneficial:

Ornamental, amenity plantings.

Detrimental:

Little forage value.
Some species may become environmental weeds.

Toxicity:

None reported.

Symptoms:

Treatment:

Legislation:

Native species are protected by the Wildlife Conservation Act with prevents removal from government land.

Management and Control:

Physical removal is usually effective.

Thresholds:

Eradication strategies:

Bulldoze the area, then burn to encourage seeds to germinate. Cultivate or spray to control seedlings.

Herbicide resistance:

None reported

Biological Control:

Unlikely because of the range of native species in this genus.

Related plants:

Pingle (Dryandra carduacea).
Prickly Dryandra (Dryandra armata)
Couch Honeypot (Dryandra nivea)
Urchin Dryandra (Dryandra praemorsa)
Parrot Bush (Dryandra sessilis)
Lanoline Bush (Dryandra triaristata)
Dryandra spp
Banksia spp.
Grevillea spp.
Hakea spp.
Isopogon spp.
Protea spp.

Plants of similar appearance:

References:

Auld, B.A. and Medd R.W. (1992). Weeds. An illustrated botanical guide to the weeds of Australia. (Inkata Press, Melbourne).

Black, J.M. (1965). Flora of South Australia. (Government Printer, Adelaide, South Australia).

Bodkin, F. (1986). Encyclopaedia Botanica. (Angus and Robertson, Australia).

Everist, S.L. (1974). Poisonous Plants of Australia. (Angus and Robertson, Sydney).

Lamp, C. and Collet, F. (1990). A Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. (Inkata Press, Melbourne).

Marchant et al (1987). Flora of the Perth Region. (Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia). P323. Diagrams

Parsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G. (1992) Noxious weeds of Australia. (Inkata Press, Melbourne).

Acknowledgments:

Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 or www.herbiguide.com.au for more information.