{{Short description|Species of shrub}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Speciesbox |image = Thomasia triphylla 02.jpg |genus = Thomasia |species = triphylla |authority = (Labill) J.Gay<ref name="APC">{{cite web |title=''Thomasia triphylla'' |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/79739 |publisher=Australian Plant Census|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> | synonyms = |}} thumb|Foliage '''''Thomasia triphylla''''' is a small shrub that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. The flowers are pinkish-purple, bell-shaped and hang in pendents from the leaf axils.
==Description== ''Thomasia triphylla'' is a small, multi-stemmed shrub {{cvt|0.3-1.2|m}} high with hairy stems. The leaves are {{cvt|25-60|mm}} long and {{cvt|10-35|mm}} wide, margins deeply and irregularly lobed and the surface covered in star shaped hairs. The two stipules at the base of the leaves are deciduous, {{cvt|10-15|mm}} long and visible only on the younger leaves. The calyx are purple, pink or white, smooth, five free stamens and filaments {{cvt|4|mm}} long. Flowering may occur in July, August, or spring.<ref name="FLORABASE">{{cite web |title=''Thomasia triphylla'' |url=https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5105 |website=FloraBase-the Western Australian Flora |publisher=Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions |access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
==Taxonomy and naming== ''Thomasia triphylla'' was first formally described in 1821 by Jacques Etienne Gay and the description was published in ''Memoires du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle''.<ref name="APNI">{{cite web |title=''Thomasia triphylla'' |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/rest/instance/apni/495181 |publisher=Australian Plant Name Index |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="GAY">{{cite book |last1=Gay |first1=Jacques Etienne |title=Memoires du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle |date=1821 |publisher=Chez A. Belin |location=Paris |page=458 |edition=7 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34817996#page/500/mode/1up}}</ref> The specific epithet (''triphylla'') refers to "the 2 stipules at the base of the petiole are large and leaf like".<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=328 |edition=3rd}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat== This species grows in limestone and sand dunes in coastal areas of south-west Western Australia and several locations from Albany to Esperance.<ref name="FLORABASE"/>
==References== {{Reflist}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q17580949}}
Category:Rosids of Western Australia triphylla Category:Endemic flora of Southwest Australia