Calothamnus preissii
| Calothamnus preissii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Calothamnus |
| Species: | C. preissii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calothamnus preissii | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Melaleuca preissiii Craven & R.D.Edwards | |
Calothamnus preissii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low-lying, sometimes ground-hugging shrub with needle-like leaves and reddish-purple flowers in spring.
Description
Calothamnus preissii is a prostrate shrub growing to a height of about 0.4 metres (1.3 ft) with linear leaves that are circular in cross-section.[1][2]
The flowers are reddish purple and have 4 sepals, 4 petals and 4 claw-like bundles of stamens. The bundles are all narrow but the upper ones are larger and contain 3 to 5 stamens but the lower two have only 1 or 2 stamens. Flowering occurs from July to November and is followed by fruits that are woody capsules.[1][2]
Taxonomy and naming
Calothamnus preissii was first formally described by Johannes Schauer in 1843 in Dissertatio phytographica de Regelia, Beaufortia et Calothamno.[3] The specific epithet (preissii) honours the German-born British botanist, Ludwig Preiss.[4] (In 2014 Craven, Edwards and Cowley proposed that the species be renamed Melaleuca preissii.)[4]
Distribution and habitat
Calothamnus preissii occurs in and between the Tutanning Nature Reserve near Pingelly, the Cranbrook district and Frankland[1] in the Esperance Plains and Jarrah Forest biogeographic regions[2] where it grows in gravelly sand or clay on hillsides.[5]
Conservation
Calothamnus preissii is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian government department of parks and wildlife.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Hawkeswood, Trevor J. (1984). "Nine new species of Calothamnus Labill. (Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae) from Western Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 5 (1): 124–125. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Calothamnus preissii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Calothamnus preissii". APNI. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ a b Craven, Lyn A.; Edwards, Robert D.; Cowley, Kirsten J. (30 June 2014). "New combinations and names in Melaleuca (Myrtaceae)". Taxon. 63 (3): 666. doi:10.12705/633.38.
- ^ Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 351. ISBN 0646402439.