Micromyrtus erichsenii explained

Micromyrtus erichsenii is a species of the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with small, egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and white or cream-coloured flowers in diameter and 5 to 10 stamens.

Description

Micromyrtus erichsenii is an erect shrub that typically grows to high. Its leaves are erect to almost pressed against the stem, egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide on a petiole long. The flowers are about in diameter, and arranged in up to 9 upper leaf axils on a peduncle long with egg-shaped bracteoles long but that fall off as the flower opens. The sepals are broadly egg-shaped, wide and the petals are white or cream-coloured, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and long. There are 5 to 10 stamens, the anthers about long. Flowering occurs between February and November and the fruit is long and wide containing a single seed.[1]

Taxonomy

Micromyrtus erichsenii was first formally described in 1905 by William Hensley in Hooker's Icones Plantarum from specimens collected near Dedari.[2] [3] The specific epithet (erichsenii) honours Frederick Ole Erickson.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows on sandplains in shrubland or open woodland between Merredin, Coolgardie, Newdegate and Norseman.

Notes and References

  1. Rye . Barbara L. . A revision of south-western Australian species of Micromyrtus (Myrtaceae) with five antisepalous ribs on the hypanthium. . Nuytsia . 2002 . 15 . 1 . 108–109 . 29 October 2023.
  2. Web site: Micromyrtus erichsenii . APNI. 26 October 2023.
  3. Book: Hemsley . William . Hooker . William J. . Icones Plantarum . 1905 . 28 . Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown Green and Longman . London . 2780 . 29 October 2023.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 193 . 3rd.