{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Speciesbox |image = |image_caption = |genus = Guichenotia |species = asteriskos |status_system = DECF |status = P2 |authority = Wilkins<ref name="APC">{{cite web |title=''Guichenotia asteriskos'' |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/178748 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref> |synonyms= }}
'''''Guichenotia asteriskos''''' is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a dwarf, spreading shrub with hairy new growth, linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves, and white flowers.
==Description== ''Guichenotia asteriskos'' is a dwarf, spreading shrub that typically grows to {{cvt|20–35|cm}} high and wide, its new growth covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are linear to narrowly egg-shaped, {{cvt|5–9|mm}} long and about {{cvt|1.5|mm}} wide on a petiole {{cvt|3–8|mm}} long and lacking stipules. The edges of the leaves are rolled under, both surfaces of the leaves are densely covered with star-shaped hairs, the upper surface becoming glabrous. The flowers are borne singly in upper leaf axils on a peduncle {{cvt|4–5|mm}} long, each flower on a pedicel {{cvt|1–2|mm}} long, with bracts {{cvt|1–2|mm}} long and tiny, triangular bracteoles at the base. There are five petal-like sepals {{cvt|5–8|mm}} long divided for three-quarters of their length, and there are tiny, dark red petals but no staminodes. Flowering occurs in September and October and the fruit is an elliptic capsule about {{cvt|3.5|mm}} long.<ref name="Blake">{{cite book |last1=Blake |first1=Trevor L. |title=Lantern bushes of Australia; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide |date=2021 |publisher=Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group |location=Victoria |isbn=9780646839301 |pages=218–219}}</ref><ref name=FB>{{FloraBase|name=''Guichenotia asteriskos''|id=17714}}</ref>
==Taxonomy and naming== ''Guichenotia asteriskos'' was first formally described in 2003 by Carolyn F. Wilkins in ''Australian Systematic Botany'' from specimens she collected near Newdegate in 1995.<ref name=APNI>{{cite web|title=''Guichenotia asteriskos''|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/587614|publisher=APNI|access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref> The specific epithet (''asteriskos'') means "small star", referring to shape of the flowers when they first open.<ref name="Blake" /><ref name="Sharr">{{cite book |last1=Sharr |first1=Francis Aubi |last2=George |first2=Alex |title=Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings |date=2019 |publisher=Four Gables Press |location=Kardinya, WA |isbn=9780958034180 |page=139 |edition=3rd}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat== This species of guichenotia grows as an understorey plant in shrubland in the Avon Wheatbelt, Mallee and Esperance Plains bioregions of south-western Western Australia.<ref name="Blake"/><ref name="FB"/>
==Conservation status== ''Guichenotia asteriskos'' is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,<ref name="FB" /> meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.<ref name=codes>{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=22 May 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15372262}}
Category:Malvales of Australia Category:Rosids of Western Australia Category:Plants described in 2003 asteriskos Category:Taxa named by Carolyn F. Wilkins Category:Endemic flora of Southwest Australia