Calytrix involucrata explained

Calytrix involucrata, commonly known as cup fringe-myrtle,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south of South Australia. It is a glabrous shrub with linear to elliptic leaves and clusters of white flowers sometimes tinged with pink, with 17 to 25 white stamens in a single row.

Description

Calytrix involucrata is a glabrous shrub that typically grows to a height of up to . Its leaves are spreading to erect, linear to elliptic, long and wide on a petiole long. There are stipules up to long at the base of the petioles. The flowers are borne in tight clusters with egg-shaped bracts up to long and wide on a peduncle long with elliptic lobes long. The floral tube has 10 ribs and is long. The sepals are joined at the base, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide with awns up to long. The petals are white, sometimes with a pink tinge, egg-shaped to elliptic, long and wide, and there are 17 to 25 white stamens in a single row. Flowering occurs from August to October.[2]

Taxonomy

Calytrix involucrata was first described in 1928 by John McConnell Black in the Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia.[3] [4] The specific epithet (involucrata) means 'involucrate', or having a ring or rings of bracts around the base of the flowers.[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Calytrix grows in mallee scrub on sand, mainly in the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas of South Australia.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Calytrix involucrata . Government of South Australia, Seeds of South Australia . 5 November 2024.
  2. Craven . Lyndley . A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae). . Brunonia . 1987 . 33–34.
  3. Web site: Calytrix involucrata . Australian Plant Name Index . 5 November 2024.
  4. Black . John McConnell . Additions to the Flora of South Australia. No. 26. . Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia . 1928 . 26 . 225–226 . 5 November 2024.
  5. Book: Stearn . William T. . Botanical Latin . 1992 . Timber Press . Portland Oregon . 435.