Micromyrtus helmsii explained

Micromyrtus helmsii is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Australia. It is a slender, erect or spreading shrub with overlapping, decussate, oblong leaves, and flowers with about 7 stamens, arranged singly in leaf axils.

Description

Micromyrtus helmsii is a slender or spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of and has slender branchlets. Its leaves are overlapping, decussate, oblong, long and about wide and keeled with several conspicuous oil glands visible on the lower surface. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils on a peduncle up to long. The sepals are more or less round, long and wide and the petals are larger than the sepals and in diameter. There are about 7 stamens, the filaments about long. Flowering has been recorded in September.[1]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1896 by Ferdinand von Mueller and Ralph Tate, who gave it the name Thriptomene helmsii in Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia from specimens collected in the Great Victoria Desert.[2] [3] In 1980, John Green transferred the species to the genus Micromyrtus as M. helmsii.[4] The specific epithet (helmsii) honours Richard Helms.[5]

Distribution

Micromyrtus helmsii is only known from the type location in inland Western Australia.

Conservation status

This species of micromyrtus is listed as "Priority One" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Green . John W. . Thryptomene and Micromyrtus (Myrtaceae) in arid and semi-arid Australia. . Nuytsia . 1980 . 3 . 2 . 200 . 27 November 2023.
  2. Web site: Thriptomene helmsii . APNI. 27 November 2023.
  3. von Mueller . Ferdinand . Tate . Ralph . Botany. Phanerogams and Vascular Cryptogams. . Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia . 1896 . 16 . 3 . 356 . 27 November 2023.
  4. Web site: Micromyrtus helmsii . APNI. 27 November 2023.
  5. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 215 . 3rd.
  6. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 27 November 2023.