Pimelea suaveolens, commonly known as scented banjine,[2] is a slender shrub with large, rather hairy yellow inflorescences. It occurs in forest areas of the south-west of Western Australia from New Norcia to Albany.
Pimelea suaveolens is an erect, spindly, often multi-stemmed shrub which grows to a height of 0.25–1.2 m (0.8–4 ft). The stems and leaves are glabrous and the leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, sword-shaped and 10–30 mm (0.4–1 in) long. The inflorescences are 30–40 mm (1–2 in) across and consist of many pale to deep yellow flowers surrounded by hairy, petal-like bracts and hang from the branches. Flowering occurs from June to October.[2][3][4]
Pimelea suaveolens was first formally described in 1845 by Carl Meissner and the description was published in Lehmann's Plantae Preissianae from a specimen collected by James Drummond at Greenmount in 1839.[5][6] The Latin specific epithet suaveolens means "sweet-smelling".[7]
In 1988, Barbara Rye named two subspecies of P. suaveolens in the journal Nuytsia and the names are accepted at the Australian Plant Census:[8]
Scented banjine grows on sand, sandy clay, gravel and laterite on undulating plains, flats, ridges and roadsides.[2] It grows between New Norcia and Albany in the Coolgardie, Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, Jarrah Forest and Warren biogeographic regions.[12]
Pimelea suaveolens is classified by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions as "not threatened".[2]
This species is not difficult to propagate from cuttings but is difficult to maintain in cultivation. "Good drainage and partial shade are important."[3]
Pimelea suaveolens, commonly known as scented banjine, is a slender shrub with large, rather hairy yellow inflorescences. It occurs in forest areas of the south-west of Western Australia from New Norcia to Albany.
