Micromyrtus placoides is a species of the flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the inland areas of Western Australia. It is a shrub with glabrous, oblong to almost round leaves, white flowers 3.0–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) in diameter, and 10 stamens in each flower.
| Micromyrtus placoides | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Micromyrtus |
| Species: | M. placoides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micromyrtus placoides | |
Description
editMicromyrtus placoides is a shrub that typically grows to 0.5–2.3 m (1 ft 8 in – 7 ft 7 in) high and more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide, with several stems or branches from its base. Its leaves are oblong to almost round, 1.3–2.2 mm (0.051–0.087 in) long and 0.8–1.3 mm (0.031–0.051 in) wide on a petiole about 0.3 mm (0.012 in) long. The flowers are 5.0–5.5 mm (0.20–0.22 in) in diameter, and arranged in between 4 and 7 upper leaf axils on a peduncle 0.4–0.8 mm (0.016–0.031 in) long. The sepals are egg-shaped, 0.5–0.6 mm (0.020–0.024 in) wide and green with deep reddish-brown to white edges. The petals are white, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. There are 10 stamens in each flower with 5 almost half-way down the hypanthium, the anthers about 0.35 mm (0.014 in) long. Flowering occurs between July and September.[2][3]
Taxonomy
editMicromyrtus placoides was first formally described in 2006 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by Malcolm Eric Trudgen near Tallering Peak in 1978.[2][4] The specific epithet (placoides) means "plate-like", referring to the hypanthium.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species occurs in a similar habitat to M. acuta, possibly also on granite, and occurs near Tallatering Peak and near Cue in the Murchison and Yalgoo biogeographic regions of inland Western Australia.[2][3]
Conservation status
editMicromyrtus placoides is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Micromyrtus placoides". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d Rye, Barbara L. (2002). "A partial revision of the south-western Australian species of Micromyrtus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)". Nuytsia. 16 (1): 134–135. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Micromyrtus placoides". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Micromyrtus placoides". APNI. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 31 December 2023.