Thryptomene calcicola explained

Thryptomene calcicola is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the north-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, sometimes spreading shrub with upwards-pointing linear leaves, and pinkish-mauve flowers with five petals and ten stamens.

Description

Thryptomene calcicola is an erect, sometimes spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of . Its leaves are directed upwards, linear, long and wide on a petiole long. The flowers are arranged raceme-like in groups of four to fifteen on a peduncle long with egg-shaped bracteoles long and that remain until the fruit is shed. The flowers are in diameter with glossy, egg-shaped sepals long. The petals are pinkish-mauve, long and there are usually ten stamens. Flowering occurs from June to late October.[1]

Taxonomy

Thryptomene calcicola was first formally described in 2014 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by Malcolm Eric Trudgen in Kalbarri National Park in 2002.[2] The specific epithet (calcicola) means "lime-inhabitant", referring to the limestone habitat of this species.

Distribution and habitat

This thryptomene only occurs in a small area of Kalbarri National Park where it grows in Acacia shrubland.

Conservation status

Thryptomene calcicola is classified as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Rye . Barbara L. . Trudgen . Malcolm E. . An update to the taxonomy of some Western Australian genera of Myrtaceae tribe Chamelaucieae. 3. Thryptomene . Nuytsia . 2014 . 24 . 280–281 . 25 April 2021.
  2. Web site: Thryptomene calcicola. APNI. 25 April 2021.
  3. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 25 April 2021.