Calytrix hirta explained

Calytrix hirta is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a spreading shrub with linear to slightly curved leaves and clusters of white flowers with 32 to 46 white stamens in several rows.

Description

Calytrix hirta is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of up to and has many stems. Its young stems are cream-coloured and pale brown or reddish brown with many shaggy hairs. The leaves are linear to slightly curved, long, wide on a petiole about long. The flowers are borne in groups on a peduncle about long, with green to light brown bracteoles long. The floral tube is long and has 6 to 8 ribs. The sepals are long and wide and lack awns. The petals are glabrous, white, long and wide with 32 to 46 white stamens, the longest filaments long. Flowering occurs from late September to late December.[1]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1863 by Eduard von Regel who gave it the name Lhotskya hirta in Gartenflora.[2] [3] In 2017, Francis Nge and Kevin Thiele transferred the species to Calytrix as C. hirta in the journal Nuytsia.[4] The specific epithet (hirta) means 'shaggy with long hairs'.[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Calytrix is found in low coastal heath on coastal or near-coastal sand dunes, in the Cape Naturaliste area, between Walpole and Esperance, and inland as far as the Stirling Range in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Calytrix hirta is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Notes and References

  1. Nge . Francis J. . Thiele . Kevin R. . A revision of the Calytrix acutifolia complex (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae). . Nuytsia . 2017 . 28 . 333–335 . 28 October 2024.
  2. Web site: Lhotskya hirta . Australian Plant Name Index . 28 October 2024.
  3. von Regel . Eduard A. . Abgebildete Pflanzen . Gartenflora . 1863 . 12 . 337–338 . 28 October 2024.
  4. Web site: Calytrix hirta . Australian Plant Name Index . 28 October 2024.
  5. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 218 . 3rd.