{{short description|Species of plant}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Speciesbox | image = Geijera parviflora 4.jpg | image_caption = Cultivated specimen, [[Springs Preserve]] | name = Wilga | status = | status_system = | genus = Geijera | species = parviflora | authority = [[John Lindley|Lindl.]]<ref name="APC">{{cite web |title=''Geijera parviflora'' |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/101309|publisher=Australian Plant Census |accessdate= 20 July 2020}}</ref> | synonyms_ref = <ref name="APC" /> | synonyms = * ''Geijera parviflora'' <small>Lindl.</small> var. ''parviflora'' * ''Geijera pendula'' <small>Lindl.</small> }}
'''''Geijera parviflora''''', commonly known as '''wilga''',<ref name="RBGS">{{cite web |last1=Porteners |first1=Marianne F. |title=''Geijera parviflora'' |url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Geijera~parviflora |publisher=Royal Botanic Garden Sydney |accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref> is a species of shrub or small tree in the family [[Rutaceae]] and is [[Endemism|endemic]] to inland parts of eastern Australia. It has drooping branches, linear to narrow lance-shaped leaves, small white flowers in loose [[panicle]]s and spherical fruit containing a shiny black seed. Other vernacular names include '''Australian willow''', '''native willow''', '''sheepbush''' and '''dogwood'''.<ref name="PwNSW">{{cite book|author1=Cunningham, Geoff M. |author2=Mulham, William E. |author3=Milthorpe, Peter L. |author4=Leigh, John H. |title=Plants of Western New South Wales|publisher=NSW Government Printing Service|location=Sydney, New South Wales|year=1981|pages=447–48|isbn=0-7240-2003-9}}</ref>
==Description== ''Geijera parviflora'' is a shrub or tree that typically grows to a height of {{cvt|8–10|m}} and has drooping branches and leaves often reaching ground level, but these are often grazed by sheep. The leaves are glossy dark green, linear to lance-shaped, {{cvt|35–180|mm}} long and {{cvt|4–10|mm}} wide on a [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]] {{cvt|3–12|mm}} long. The leaves give off a strong smell when crushed. The flowers are arranged in loose panicles {{cvt|40–70|mm}} long, each flower on a [[Pedicel (botany)|pedicel]] about {{cvt|1|mm}} long. The [[sepal]]s are {{cvt|0.8–1|mm}} long, the [[petal]]s white and {{cvt|1.5–2.5|mm}} long. The smell of the flowers has been described as foetid, but also as citrus-scented and attracts insects. Flowering occurs from June to November and the fruit is more or less spherical, {{cvt|4–5|mm}} in diameter, each containing a single shiny black seed.<ref name="RBGS" /><ref name="PwNSW"/><ref name="FoA">{{cite web |title=''Geijera parviflora'' |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Geijera%20parviflora |publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra |accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="Greig, Denise 102">{{cite book|title=A Photographic Guide to Trees in Australia|author=Greig, Denise |page=102|isbn=1-86436-326-6|year=1998 }}</ref><ref name="RBGV">{{cite web |last1=Duretto |first1=Marco F. |title=''Geihera parviflora'' |url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/b1755deb-fb81-43a3-b5f2-157f1e418072 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria |accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="efloraSA">{{cite web |title=''Geijera parviflora'' |url=http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/cgi-bin/speciesfacts_display.cgi?form=speciesfacts&name=Geijera_parviflora |publisher=State Herbarium of South Australia |accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref>
==Taxonomy== ''Geijera parviflora'' was first formally described in 1848 by English botanist [[John Lindley]] in [[Thomas Mitchell (explorer)|Thomas Mitchell's]] ''Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia''.<ref name=APNI>{{cite web|title=''Geijera parviflora''|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/528838 |publisher=APNI|accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref> The specific epithet ''parviflora'' is from the [[Latin]], meaning "small flowers".
==Distribution and habitat== Wilga prefers calcareous soils, either red clays or sandy soils, and grows as scattered trees in open woodland or occasionally in stands.<ref name="PwNSW"/> It is mainly found in inland New South Wales and Queensland, extending into south-eastern South Australia and is rare in Victoria where it is only known from the north-west of the state, near [[Kenley, Victoria|Kenley]].<ref name="RBGS" /><ref name="RBGV" /><ref name="efloraSA" />
==Uses== Wilga is a useful shade and [[fodder]] tree in agricultural areas. Sheep particularly enjoy grazing on the lower branches, although trees appear to vary greatly in palatability (some are eagerly sought after and others ignored). The reason for this variation is unknown, and soil composition is speculated as a cause.<ref name="PwNSW"/> Despite being slow growing, it is planted in Australia and overseas as an ornamental. It prefers full sunshine, and can tolerate the occasional light frost and [[Drought in Australia|drought]]. [[Indigenous Australians]] chewed the aromatic leaves for alleviating toothache.<ref name="Greig, Denise 102"/> Regeneration from fresh seed and cuttings has proven to be difficult. It is suggested that the hard seed coat should be cracked, to assist seed germination.<ref>Growing Australian Native Plants From Seed by Murray Ralph, {{ISBN|978-0-646-42866-6}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed"> File:Wilga-Havilah2.JPG|Willowy leaves File:Geijera parviflora Wilga-Havilah1.jpg|Habit File:Wilga-Havilah3.JPG|Flower close up File:Wilga-Havilah4.JPG|Flowers attract insects </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q596715}}
[[Category:Geijera|parviflora]] [[Category:Sapindales of Australia]] [[Category:Flora of New South Wales]] [[Category:Flora of Queensland]] [[Category:Flora of Victoria (state)]] [[Category:Flora of South Australia]] [[Category:Plants described in 1848]] [[Category:Taxa named by John Lindley]]