Kunzea axillaris explained

Kunzea axillaris is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area of New South Wales. It is an erect shrub or tree with linear leaves and white flowers which are arranged singly in leaf axils. It is only known from the ranges on the north coast.

Description

Kunzea axillaris is an erect shrub or tree which grows to a height of about 6sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 with its branches hairy when young. The leaves are linear in shape, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, less than 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and glabrous when mature. The leaves taper towards the petiole and have a pointed end. The flowers are crowded on side branches or in the axils of upper leaves on a stalk up to 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The floral cup is glabrous, the sepal lobes are less than 0.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and the petals are white, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. There are about thirty stamens which are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. Flowering occurs in January and the fruit are cup-shaped capsules which are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide.[1] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Kunzea axillaris was first formally described in 2016 by Hellmut R. Toelken and the description was published in Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.[3] The specific epithet (axillaris) is a Latin word meaning "of an axil"[4] referring to the flowers which appear singly in the leaf axils.

Distribution and habitat

This kunzea grows in wet sclerophyll forest on the ranges between Taree and Kempsey.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilson. Peter G.. Kunzea axillaris. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: plantnet. 2 September 2017.
  2. Toelken. Hellmut R.. Revision of Kunzea (Myrtaceae). 2. Subgenera Angasomyrtus and Salisia (section Salisia) from Western Australia and subgenera Kunzea and Niviferae (sections Platyphyllae and Pallidiflorae) from eastern Australia. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 2016. 29. 141–143. 2 September 2017.
  3. Web site: Kunzea axillaris. APNI. 2 September 2017.
  4. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 90.