Calytrix acutifolia is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to south-west of Western Australia. It is a slender, openly-branched shrub with linear to lance-shaped leaves and clusters of white, cream-coloured or yellow flowers with 40 to 85 white stamens in several rows.
| Calytrix acutifolia | |
|---|---|
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| Foliage and flowers | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Calytrix |
| Species: | C. acutifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Calytrix acutifolia | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editCalytrix acutifolia is a slender, openly-branched shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in), and has linear to lance-shaped leaves 2.5–15 mm (0.098–0.591 in) long and 0.5–1.0 mm (0.020–0.039 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–1.25 mm (0.020–0.049 in) long. There is usually a stipule up to 0.75 mm (0.030 in) long at the base of the petiole. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils with green to light brown bracteoles 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long. The floral tube is more or less cylindrical, with 5 to 7 ribs and 3.5–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in) long. The sepals are glabrous, 1.0–2.3 mm (0.039–0.091 in) long and lack an awn. The petals are white, 7.5–10 mm (0.30–0.39 in) long and 2.0–2.5 mm (0.079–0.098 in) wide and there are 40 to 85 cream to light yellow stamens in 2 to 4 rows. Flowering occurs between April and December with a peak from mid-October to early November.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first described in 1839 by John Lindley who gave it the name Lhotskya acutifolia in his A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.[5][6] In 1987, Lyndley Craven transferred the species to Calytrix as C. acutifolia in the journal Brunonia.[7] The specific epithet (acutifolia) means "sharply pointed leaves".[8]
Distribution and habitat
editCalytrix acutifolia grows on hill slopes and gullies in wandoo and marri woodlands on the escarpment of the Darling Range and Pinjarra plain in the Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2][4]
Conservation status
editThis species is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Calytrix achaeta". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ a b Nge, Francis J.; Keighery, Greg J.; Thiele, Kevin R. (2017). "A revision of the Calytrix acutifolia complex (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)" (PDF). Nuytsia. 28: 328–330. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Craven, Lyndley (1987). "A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae)". Brunonia: 122–123.
- ^ a b c "Calytrix acutifolia". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Lhotskya acutifolia". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Lindley, John (1839). A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. London: James Ridgway. p. vii. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Calytrix acutifolia". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780958034180.