Darwinia leiostyla is an erect shrub in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It typically grows to a height of and has linear leaves up to about long crowded along the branches. Pendent, bell-shaped, flower-like inflorescences appear from May to January. These are clusters of small flowers surrounded by larger pink, red or white, petal-like bracts.
This species was first formally described in 1852 by Nikolai Turczaninow who gave it the name Genetyllis leiostyla in the Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.[1] [2] In 1923, Karel Domin changed the name to Darwinia leiostyla in Vestnik Kralovske Ceske Spolecnosti Nauk, Trida Matematiko-Prirodevedecke.[3] The specific epithet (leiostyla) means "having a smooth style".[4]
Darwinia leiostyla occurs in the Stirling Range and Middle Mount Barren on rocky sites, along streamlines and on slopes within gullies and ranges.[5]
Darwinia leiostyla is classified as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that is rare or near threatened.[6]
This darwinia is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. It requires a warm, dry situation and tip pruning to maintain its shape. It is suitable for container growing or rock gardens.[7] [8]