Kunzea badjaensis is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area of New South Wales. It is a shrub with egg-shaped leaves and clusters of white flowers near the end of the branches. It grows at high altitudes on the Southern Tablelands.
| Kunzea badjaensis | |
|---|---|
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| Kunzea badjaensis growing near Snowball, New South Wales | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Kunzea |
| Species: | K. badjaensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Kunzea badjaensis | |
Description
editKunzea badjaensis is a shrub, often a prostrate shrub, which grows to a height of about 0.2–1 m (0.7–3 ft) with its branches hairy when young. The leaves are egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 2–6 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide with a petiole 0.5–1 mm (0.02–0.04 in) long. The flowers are arranged in rounded heads near the ends of the branches which often continue to grow during flowering. The sepal lobes are triangular, about 1 mm (0.04 in) long and the petals are white, 1.0–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long. There are about 30-40 stamens which are 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. Flowering occurs between December and January and the fruit are cup-shaped capsules which are 4 mm (0.2 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editKunzea badjaensis was first formally described in 2016 by Hellmut R. Toelken and the description was published in Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.[1][3] The specific epithet (badjaensis) is a reference to Big Badja Hill, one of the places where this species is found.[3] It had previously been known as Kunzea sp. Wadbilliga (Rodd 6168).[1]
Distribution and habitat
editThis kunzea grows in heath on the tablelands at altitudes over 1,000 m (3,000 ft), mainly in the Kybean Range.[2][3]
Use in horticulture
editMost individuals of K. badjaensis are low shrubs but a particularly low-growing form has been registered as a cultivar known as Kunzea 'Badja Carpet'. This horticultural form grows best in well-drained soil in a sunny position.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Kunzea badjaensis". APNI. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- ^ a b Wilson, Peter G. "Kunzea badjaensis". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d Toelken, Hellmut R. (2016). "Revision of Kunzea (Myrtaceae). 2. Subgenera Angasomyrtus and Salisia (section Salisia) from Western Australia and subgenera Kunzea and Niviferae (sections Platyphyllae and Pallidiflorae) from eastern Australia" (PDF). Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 29: 115–116. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- ^ Jackson, Ron. "Kunzea 'Badja Carpet'". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 6 November 2017.