An Australian plant with bright pink flowers turned out to be a species unknown to science

The species is named Phebalium banyabba. It grows below two metres and blooms in late winter and spring. According to botanists, the plant is covered with bright pink and rusty-orange flowers. The study is published in the journal Telopea.

Details

The story began with specimens collected by rare plant specialist Paul Sheringham north of the town of Grafton. At first it was thought to be Phebalium nottii. But botanists at the N.C.W. Beadle Herbarium at the University of New England. Beadle at the University of New England noticed that the plant looked different and could be an independent species.

This was later confirmed by both external features and molecular analysis. The plant had differences in the structure of the flower, the hairs on the calyx and the seeds. Simply put, it was different enough from nearby species to get its own scientific name.

The new species was named Phebalium banyabba. The name is related to the Banjalang, a First Nations people of Australia, and the local name of the region where the plant grows. The formal description of the species is not only important for botany: it is now easier to include it in conservation lists and to protect it through legislation in New South Wales.

So far, the plant has only been found in two locations. Researchers counted 466 plants in one population and 502 adult plants in the second.

Why it's important

The discovery shows that even a bright and conspicuous plant can hide under an alien name for a long time. This is no small thing for science: if a rare species is mistakenly thought to be part of a more widespread species, it may not be protected in time.

Phebalium banyabba has a very narrow range. It is threatened by too frequent fires, drought, grazing and the fact that the plant regenerates mainly from seed rather than regrowing quickly after a fire. With this strategy, frequent fires may not give the young plants time to grow and produce new seeds.

Scientists have already begun growing the species in collections. The plant has been included in the living collection of the Australian National Botanic Garden. In the future, it may be cautiously introduced into horticulture to reduce the risk of illegal collection of rare plants in the wild.

Background

The genus Phebalium includes shrubs and small trees that are found in Australia. Many species have small, fragrant leaves and conspicuous flowers, and the plants themselves belong to the rutaceae family, the same large family that includes citrus.

For Australia, such discoveries are particularly important. Many native species have very small ranges: they grow only in one region, on specific soils or in specific conditions. If such species are not recognised in time, they can easily be lost before they are well understood.

Source

Ian R.H. Telford et al, "Phebalium banyabba (Rutaceae: Zanthoxyloideae), an endangered, narrowly endemic new species from north-eastern New South Wales", Telopea, 2026.