Micromyrtus collina
| Micromyrtus collina | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Micromyrtus |
| Species: | M. collina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micromyrtus collina | |
Micromyrtus collina is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the southwest of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with small, linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and small white flowers that turn pink as they age.
Description
[edit]Micromyrtus collina is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.3–1.5 m (1 ft 0 in – 4 ft 11 in). Its leaves are directed upwards and densely crowded, linear to narrowly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 5.0–8.5 mm (0.20–0.33 in) long and 0.7–1.5 mm (0.028–0.059 in) wide on a petiole 0.7–0.9 mm (0.028–0.035 in) long, with 8 to 12 prominent oil glands. The flowers are 3.0–4.5 mm (0.12–0.18 in) in diameter, and arranged in 2 to 14 upper leaf axils on a peduncle 1.5–3 mm (0.059–0.118 in) long with narrowly egg-shaped or egg-shaped bracteoles 1.5–2.0 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long at the base. The sepals are egg-shaped, 0.4–0.6 mm (0.016–0.024 in) long and 0.5–0.7 mm (0.020–0.028 in) wide. The petals are white, turning pink as they age, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, and 1.5–2.2 mm (0.059–0.087 in) long. Flowering has been recorded from July to September.[2][3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Micromyrtus collina was first formally described in 2010 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected on the East Moresby Range in 1983.[3][4] The specific epithet (collina) means "inhabiting low hills".[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This species of micromyrtus grows in shrub vegetation on sandy soils over laterite in the Moresby Range in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[3][2]
Conservation status
[edit]Micromyrtus collina is classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Micromyrtus collina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "Micromyrtus collina". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b c d Rye, Barbara L. (2010). "A revision of the Micromyrtus racemosa complex (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae) of south-western Australia". Nuytsia. 20 (1): 42–45. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Micromyrtus collina". APNI. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 4 October 2023.