Calytrix megaphylla explained

Calytrix megaphylla is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the Northern Territory. It is a shrub with linear to narrowly elliptic leaves and pink to pinkish mauve or reddish purple flowers with a paler base, and with about 20 to 50 pink stamens in several rows.

Description

Calytrix megaphylla is a glabrous shrub that typically grows to a height of up to . Its leaves are linear to narrowly elliptic, long and wide on a petiole long. There are stipules up to long at the base of the petiole. The flowers are borne on a peduncle long with lance-shaped bracteoles long. The floral tube is free from the style, long and has 10 ribs. The sepals are fused at the base, with more or less round lobes long and wide, with an awn up to long. The petals are pink to pinkish mauve or reddish purple, paler near the base, narrowly elliptic, long and wide, and there are about 20 to 50 pink stamens in several rows. Flowering occurs from January to July.[1]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1858 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Calycothrix megaphylla in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected by Augustus Charles Gregory.[2] [3] In 1867, George Bentham transferred the species to Calytrix as C. megaphylla in his Flora Australiensis.[4] [5] The specific epithet (megaphylla) means 'large-leaved'.[6]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Calytrix grows in heath and heathy woodland on sandstone on sandplains on the McAdam Range and in western Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.[7]

Conservation status

Calytrix megaphylla is listed as of "least concern" under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Notes and References

  1. Craven . Lyndley . A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae). . Brunonia . 1987 . 69–70.
  2. Web site: Calycothrix megaphylla . Australian Plant Name Index . 15 November 2024.
  3. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae . 1858 . Victorian Government Printer . Melbourne . 13 . 15 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Calytrix longiflora . Australian Plant Name Index . 15 November 2024.
  5. Book: Bentham . George . Flora Australiensis . 1867 . 3 . Lovell Reeves & Co. . London . 50 . 15 November 2024.
  6. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 250 . 3rd.
  7. Web site: Calytrix megaphylla . Northern Territory Government . 15 November 2024.