Rare Bitterbush

Scientific Name:

Adriana quadripartita

Female bush of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

Status:

Native to Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

Plant Description:

An erect, open shrub to 2 m high with pale undersides to its lanceolate (spear-shaped) to ovate, serrated or coarsely toothed leaves; 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide.

Plants are either male or female. Flowers are yellow to green. The male flower spikes are up to 17 cm long, while female flowers grow in clusters. Fruit is an ovoid capsule of about 1 cm diameter.

Habitat:

Species of coastal habitats.

Comments:

There are two forms of Rare Bitterbush; the one pictured here being the glabrous (or hairless) form and a pubescent-hairy form, once known as Adriana klotzschii. The glabrous form is listed as a threatened taxon in Victoria with a status of endangered. The larvae of a butterfly, known as the Bitter-bush Blue (Theclinesthes albocincta) feeds exclusively on Bitter-bush.

Young fruit of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

Rare Bitterbush fruits of different ages
Photo: A J Brown

Leaves of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

Rare Bitterbush ripening fruit
Ripening fruit of Rare Bitterbush
Photo: A J Brown

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