Melaleuca calyptroides
| Melaleuca calyptroides | |
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M. calyptroides
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| Binomial name | |
| Melaleuca calyptroides |
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Melaleuca calyptroides is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to a number of other Western Australian melaleucas such as Melaleuca hollidayi with its almost cylindrical leaves, purple pom-pom flower heads and low growth habit but it has longer, wartier leaves and fewer flowers in the inflorescences. The floral cup and woody capsule from which it develops are longer than those of similar melaleucas.
Description
Melaleuca calyptroides is a small, low growing shrub sometimes reaching a height of Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).. Its leaves are arranged alternately, linear in shape, almost spherical in cross-section, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide with a leaf stalk the same width as the leaf blade. Most of the leaves are densely covered with distinct, raised oil glands.[1]
The flowers are a shade of pink to purple and appear singly or in small heads on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering, sometimes also in the upper leaf axils. The heads are up to Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). in diameter and contain 1 or 2 groups of flowers in threes, sometimes up to 9 individual flowers. The petals are Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long, and fall off the flower as it opens. The stamens are arranged in bundles of five around the flower, usually with 8 to 15 stamens in each bundle. The flowering season extends from July to November and is followed by fruits which are woody capsules, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long.[1][2]
Taxonomy and naming
Melaleuca calyptroides was first formally described in 1999 by Lyndley Craven and Brendan Lepschi in Australian Systematic Botany from a specimen found Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). east of Southern Cross.[3][4] The specific epithet (calyptroides) is from the Ancient Greek word καλύπτρα (kalýptra) meaning "cap" or "cover"[5] and the suffix εἶδος (eîdos), meaning “form" or "likeness”[6] referring to the petals which form a cap-like covering over the flower buds, then fall off.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Melaleuca calyptroides occurs in and between the Watheroo, Morawa, Merredin, Hyden and Coolgardie districts[1] in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Mallee and Yalgoo biogeographic regions. It grows in heath, scrub and shrubland in clayey sand or loam over laterite.[7]
Conservation
Melaleuca calyptroides is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
