Calytrix praecipua
| Calytrix praecipua | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Calytrix |
| Species: | C. praecipua
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calytrix praecipua | |
Calytrix praecipua is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Western Australia. It is a shrub with decussate leaves and pink to pinkish-white flowers with about 21 to 27 stamens in a single row.
Description
[edit]Calytrix praecipua is a glabrous shrub that typically grows to a height of 30–70 cm (12–28 in). Its leaves are decussate, lance-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) long and 0.8–1.2 mm (0.031–0.047 in) wide on a petiole 0.3–1 mm (0.012–0.039 in) long with stipules up to 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) long at the base. The flowers are borne on a narrowly funnel-shaped peduncle 5.5–6.0 mm (0.22–0.24 in) long with elliptic lobes 2.5–3.0 mm (0.098–0.118 in) long. The floral tube is 9.5–10 mm (0.37–0.39 in) long and spindle-shaped with ten ribs. The sepals are more or less round to egg-shaped, 1.5–1.7 mm (0.059–0.067 in) long and 1.5–1.8 mm (0.059–0.071 in) wide with an awn up to 14 mm (0.55 in) long. The petals are pink to pinkish-white, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, 6.5–8 mm (0.26–0.31 in) long and 1.75–2.4 mm (0.069–0.094 in) wide, and there are about 21 to 27 stamens in a single row. Flowering occurs in June.[2][3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Calytrix praecipua was first formally described in 1987 by Lyndley Craven in the journal Brunonia from specimens he collected 30 km (19 mi) east of Laverton.[2][4] The specific epithet (praecipua) means 'especial' or 'extraordinary',[5] referring to the "significance of this species in interpreting the evolution of the gynoecium in Calytrix".[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This species of Calytrix grows on breakaways and among outcrops in a scattered area around Laverton in the Gascoyne, Great Victoria Desert, Little Sandy Desert and Murchison bioregions of inland Western Australia.[2][3]
Conservation status
[edit]Calytrix praecipua is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Calytrix praecipua". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d Craven, Lyndley (1987). "A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae)". Brunonia: 50–51.
- ^ a b c "Calytrix praecipua". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Calytrix praecipua". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 282. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 2 January 2025.