Hypocalymma myrtifolium explained

Hypocalymma myrtifolium is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to a restricted area in the south west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with egg-shaped to elliptic leaves and white or cream-coloured flowers with 30 to 50 stamens in several rows.

Description

Hypocalymma myrtifolium is an erect, often multistemmed shrub that typically grows to a height of and has winged stems. Its leaves are sessile, elliptic to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide with fine serrations on the edges. The flowers are wide and arranged in pairs in up to ten leaf axils and are more or less sessile. The sepals are broadly egg-shaped to elliptic, long and the petals are white or cream-coloured, long. There are 30 to 50 stamens in two rows, joined for a short distance at the base, the longest filaments long. Flowering occurs from July to November and the fruit is about long.[1] [2]

Taxonomy

Hypocalymma myrticolium was first formally described in 1852 by Nikolai Turczaninow in the Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg from specimens collected by James Drummond.[3] [4] The specific epithet (myrtifolium) means 'myrtle-leaved'.[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Hypocalymma grows amongst rocks on the middle and upper slopes of the Bluff Knoll plateau in the Stirling Range in the south-west of Western Australia.

Conservation status

Hypocalymma myrtifolium is listed as "Priority Two" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from one or a few locations.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Rye . Barbara L. . Wilson . Peter G. . Keighery . Gregory J. . A revision of the species of Hypocalymma (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae) with smooth or colliculate seeds. . Nuytsia . 2013 . 23 . 301–303 . 14 October 2024.
  2. Strid . P. Arne K. . Keighery . Greg J. . A taxonomic review of the genus Hypocalymma (Myrtaceae). . Nordic Journal of Botany . 2003 . 22 . 5 . 569–570.
  3. Web site: Hypocalymma myrtifolium . Australian Plant Name Index . 14 October 2024.
  4. Turczaninow . Nikolai . Myrtaceae Xerocarpicae, in Nova Hollandia a cl. Drumond . Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg . 1852 . 10 . 333. 14 October 2024.
  5. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 258 . 3rd.
  6. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. 14 October 2024.