Calytrix plumulosa

Calytrix plumulosa

Priority Three — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Calytrix
Species:
C. plumulosa
Binomial name
Calytrix plumulosa
Synonyms[1]
  • Calycothrix plumulosa F.Muell.
  • Calythrix plumulosa B.D.Jacks. orth. var.

Calytrix plumulosa is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with linear leaves and rose-coloured to violet and yellow flowers with about 35 to 75 yellow stamens in three rows.

Description

Calytrix plumulosa is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 15–40 cm (5.9–15.7 in). Its leaves are linear to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 3–11 mm (0.12–0.43 in) long and 0.4–1 mm (0.016–0.039 in) wide on a petiole 0.25–1.0 mm (0.0098–0.0394 in) long. There are stipules up to 0.2 mm (0.0079 in) long at the base of the petiole. The flowers are borne on a funnel-shaped peduncle 5.5–8.0 mm (0.22–0.31 in) long with lance-shaped lobes 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long. The floral tube is 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and has 10 ribs. The sepals are fused at the base, with broadly egg-shaped to round lobes 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long and 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) wide. The petals are rose-coloured to violet with a yellow base, lance-shaped to elliptic, 7.5–10 mm (0.30–0.39 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide, and there are about 35 to 75 yellow stamens in three rows, and that turn ochreous as they age. Flowering occurs in October and November.[2][3]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1876 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Calycothrix plumulosa in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected near Mount Churchman by Jess Young.[4][5] In 1893, Benjamin Daydon Jackson transferred the species to Calytrix as C. plumulosa in the Index Kewensis.[6] The specific epithet (plumulosa) means 'covered with small feathers'.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Calytrix plumulosa occurs between the Bunjil district and the Bencubbin district in the Avon Wheatbelt and Coolgardie bioregions of south-west Western Australia, where it grows in scrubby heath on yellow sand.[2][3]

Conservation status

Calytrix plumulosa is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Calytrix plumulosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b Craven, Lyndley (1987). "A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae)". Brunonia: 98.
  3. ^ a b c "Calytrix plumulosa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ "Calycothrix plumulosa". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  5. ^ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1876). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. p. 27. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Calytrix plumulosa". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  7. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 281. ISBN 9780958034180.
  8. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 30 December 2024.