Micromyrtus delicata explained

Micromyrtus delicata is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area of northern coastal Queensland. It is a shrub with overlapping, linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base and small white flowers arranged singly in leaf axils.

Description

Micromyrtus delicata is a shrub that typically grows up to high, with erect branchlets. Its leaves overlap each other and are linear to narrowly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long, wide and sessile or on a petiole up to long. The leaves have prominent oil glands and the edges of the leaves sometimes have finely toothed margins. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils on a peduncle long, each flower wide. There are 2 bracteoles about long at the base of the flower. There are 5 relatively inconspicuous, translucent sepals and 5 keeled petals long and wide. There are five stamens, each opposite a petal, the filaments long. Flowering has been observed between January and March.[1]

Taxonomy

Micromyrtus delicata was first formally described in 1997 by Anthony Bean in the journal Austrobaileya from specimens collected west of Herberton by Paul Irwin Forster in 1994.[2] The specific epithet (delicata) means "charming", referring to the foliage of this species.

Distribution and habitat

This species of micromyrtus is only known from the type location in central eastern Queensland, where it grows in open woodland.

Conservation status

Micromytus delicata is listed as "endngered" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Bean . Anthony R. . A revision of Micromyrtus Benth. (Myrtaceae) in Queensland. . Austrobaileya . 1997 . 4 . 4 . 457–458 . 9 October 2023.
  2. Web site: Micromyrtus carinata . APNI. 16 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Species profile - Micromyrtus delicata . Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science . 9 October 2023.