Rank Species | ||
Similar Cryptandra, Spyridium, Pultenaea, Rhamnaceae | ||
Cryptandra tomentosa, commonly known as prickly cryptandra, is a shrub species in the Buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It grows to 60 cm high and has spiny branchlets and narrow leaves to 6 mm long and 1 mm wide. These are dark green above and paler underneath, with the edges rolled under. White (or sometimes red) tubular flowers are produced between August and October in the species native range.
The species was formally described in 1838 by botanist John Lindley in Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia. It was discovered by explorer Thomas Livingstone Mitchell in 1836.
It occurs in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. Associated trees include Eucalyptus costata subsp. murrayana, E. leptophylla, E. arenacea and E. dumosa.