Micromyrtus collina explained

Micromyrtus collina is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the southwest of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with small, linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and small white flowers that turn pink as they age.

Description

Micromyrtus collina is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of . Its leaves are directed upwards and densely crowded, linear to narrowly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide on a petiole long, with 8 to 12 prominent oil glands. The flowers are in diameter, and arranged in 2 to 14 upper leaf axils on a peduncle long with narrowly egg-shaped or egg-shaped bracteoles long at the base. The sepals are egg-shaped, long and wide. The petals are white, turning pink as they age, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, and long. Flowering has been recorded from July to September.[1]

Taxonomy

Micromyrtus collina was first formally described in 2010 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected on the East Moresby Range in 1983.[2] The specific epithet (collina) means "inhabiting low hills".

Distribution and habitat

This species of micromyrtus grows in shrub vegetation on sandy soils over laterite in the Moresby Range in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Micromyrtus collina is classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Rye . Barbara L. . A revision of the Micromyrtus racemosa complex (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae) of south-western Australia. . Nuytsia . 2010 . 20 . 1 . 42–45 . 4 October 2023.
  2. Web site: Micromyrtus collina . APNI. 4 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 4 October 2023.