Hypocalymma tenuatum explained

Hypocalymma tenuatum, commonly known as Lesueur myrtle, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the a restricted area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading shrub, with linear leaves, and white or pale yellow flowers with 20 to 25 stamens.

Description

Hypocalymma tenuatum is a low, spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of . Its leaves are linear in outline, long, wide and thick. The lower side of the leaves is deeply convex and grooved, with star-like oil glands. The flowers are in diameter, and often arranged in pairs with bracteoles long at the base. The floral tube is about long and wide and the sepals are egg-shaped, long and wide. The petals are white or pale yellow, long and there are 20 to 25 white or pale yellow stamens, the longest filaments long. Flowering mainly occurs from August to October, and the fruit is a capsule long and in diameter.[1] [2]

Taxonomy

Hypocalymma tenuatum was first formally described in 2003 by Arne Strid and Greg Keighery in the Nordic Journal of Botany from specimens collected on Mount Lesueur in 1980.[3] The specific epithet (tenuatum) means 'completely slender', referring to the drawn-out branches.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Hypocalymma is found with laterite in wandoo woodland or on sandstone outcrops between the Lesueur National Park and Warradarge in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Hypocalymma tenuatum is listed as "Priority Two" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from one or a few locations.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Strid . Arne . Keighery . Gregory J. . A taxonomic review of the genus Hypocalymma. Nordic Journal of Botany . 2003 . 22 . 5 . 545–546.
  2. Keighery . Gregory J. . Rye . Barbara L. . Tauss . Catherine . Update to the taxonomy of Hypocalymma sect. Hypocalymma (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae), including hybrids and new species. . Telopea . 2023 . 34 . 49–50 . 8 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Hypocalymma tenuatum . Australian Plant Name Index . 8 November 2024.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 321 . 3rd.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. 8 November 2024.