About Philotheca pungens (Lindl.) Paul G.Wilson
Philotheca pungens is an undershrub that usually grows to 60 cm (24 inches) tall, though it often lies prostrate along the ground. Its leaves are linear to narrow oblong or needle-like, measuring 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 inches) long. The upper surface of the leaves is flat, while the lower surface has a prominent keel. Flowers are most often borne singly in leaf axils, on a stalk 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 inches) long, with lance-shaped bracteoles at the base of the flower. The sepals are fleshy, more or less round, and around 1 mm (0.039 inches) long. The petals are egg-shaped, around 4 mm (0.16 inches) long, white, and sometimes pink on the back. The stamens are covered with long, soft hairs, and the style is glabrous. Flowering takes place from August to November. The fruit is 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 inches) long and has a beak. This species grows in heathland habitat. It occurs in southern and south-eastern South Australia, and in central and western Victoria as far east as Bendigo. It is associated with the tree species Eucalyptus leptophylla and Eucalyptus incrassata.
