Darwinia meeboldii

Darwinia meeboldii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Darwinia
Species:
D. meeboldii
Binomial name
Darwinia meeboldii
Occurrence data from AVH

Darwinia meeboldii, commonly known as Cranbrook bell,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.[3] It is an erect, spindly shrub with crowded leaves and clusters of pendent flowers surrounded by large bracts.

Description

Darwinia meeboldii is an erect, spindly shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.5–3 m (1 ft 8 in – 9 ft 10 in). It has erect, crowded leaves up to about 10 mm (0.39 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide. The flowers are small and pendent, arranged in groups of 8 surrounded by relatively large red, white and green bracts. Flowering occurs between August and November.[3][4]

Taxonomy

Darwinia meeboldii was first formally described in 1943 by Charles Gardner in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.[5][6] The specific epithet (meeboldii) honours Alfred Meebold.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Cranbrook bell occurs on peaty soils on slopes in the western part of the Stirling Range National Park.[2][3]

Conservation status

Darwinia meeboldii is listed as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[8] The main threats to the species include its restricted distribution, loss of canopy cover, weed invasion and grazing by rabbits.[2]

Use in horticulture

The species requires good drainage and protection from direct sun.[4] It is difficult to propagate from seed, but cuttings strike readily.[4] Grafting on stocks of Darwinia citriodora may be carried out in areas with unsuitable growing conditions including high humidity.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Darwinia meeboldii". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Approved Conservation Advice for Darwinia meeboldii (Cranbrook Bell)" (PDF). Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "Darwinia meeboldii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ a b c d "Darwinia meeboldii". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Darwinia meeboldii". APNI. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  6. ^ Gardner, Charles A. (1943). "Contributiones Florae Australiae Occidentalis, XI". Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 27: 189–190. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  7. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 250. ISBN 9780958034180.
  8. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 1 November 2022.