Ballantinia

Ballantinia
Ballantinia pumilio (as Hutchinsia australis Hook.f.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Ballantinia Hook.f. ex Airy Shaw
Species:	B. pumilio
Binomial name
Ballantinia pumilio (R.Br. ex DC.) Mabb.
Synonyms[1]
Ballantinia antipoda (F.Muell.) Airy Shaw Bursa antipoda (F.Muell.) Kuntze Capsella antipoda F.Muell. Capsella antipoda F.Muell. Capsella australis (Hook.f.) Hook.f. ex Benth. Cuphonotus antipodus (F.Muell.) J.M.Black Cuphonotus australis (Hook.f.) O.E.Schulz Draba pumilio R.Br. ex DC. (1821) (basionym) Hutchinsia australis Hook.f.

Ballantinia is a genus of plants in the family Brassicaceae.^[2] Ballantinia pumilio, commonly known as southern shepherd's purse,^[3] is the sole species in the genus.^[1] It is a small annual herb growing on granite outcrops at high elevations. Formerly more widespread, it is currently restricted to Mount Alexander in central Victoria. It was formerly native to central and northern Tasmania but is presumed extinct on the island.^[1] The species is listed as 'Critically Endangered' under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

Ballantinia pumilio with flowers and young fruit in August 2024, growing among mosses on Mt Alexander

References

1. "Ballantinia pumilio (R.Br. ex DC.) Mabb". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
2. Walsh, Neville; Hirst, Megan; Messina, Andre (2016). "News from the Australian Seedbank Partnership". Australasian Plant Conservation. 25 (2): 20–22. doi:10.5962/p.373677.
3. Neville, Geoff (2010). National recovery plan for Southern Shepherd's Purse Ballantinia antipoda. Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Water, Heritage, and the Arts Australia. Department of the Environment. Melbourne: Dept. Sustainability and Environment. ISBN 978-1-74208-776-4. OCLC 696059169.