Calothamnus arcuatus

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Calothamnus arcuatus
Status DECF P2.svg
Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Calothamnus
Species:
C. arcuatus
Binomial name
Calothamnus arcuatus
Synonyms [1]

Melaleuca arcuata (A.S.George) Craven & R.D.Edwards

Contents

Calothamnus arcuatus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. (In 2014 Craven, Edwards and Cowley proposed that the species be renamed Melaleuca arcuata.) [2] It is a shrub with prickly, cylindrical leaves with a slight, upward curve and bright red flowers in small groups near the older leaves.

Description

Calothamnus arcuatus grows to a height and width of about 1.5 metres (5 ft) with an underground swelling called a lignotuber. Its leaves are needle-like, mostly 2–5 millimetres (0.08–0.2 in) long and 0.7–1.1 millimetres (0.03–0.04 in) wide, circular in cross section and tapering at the end to a sharp point. They are glabrous, spreading from the stem and curve slightly upwards. [3]

The flowers are bright red and arranged in small clusters amongst the older leaves. The outer edge of the flower cup (the hypanthium) and the sepals are densely covered with soft hairs. The petals are 2.5–3 millimetres (0.098–0.12 in) long and have a jagged edge. The stamens are arranged in claw-like bundles 22–25 millimetres (0.87–0.98 in) long. Flowering occurs in autumn and early winter and is followed by fruit that are woody, almost spherical capsules, 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) long. [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Calothamnus arcuatus was first formally described in 2010 by Alex George from a specimen found near Enaebba. [3] [4] "The Latin arcuatus (curved like a bow) refers to the leaves". [3]

Distribution and habitat

Calothamnus arcuatus occurs in two separate areas - one to the north east of Eneabba and the other to the north east of Arrino, in the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic regions. [3] [5] It grows in sand, sometimes with lateritic gravel on sandplains and ridges. [6]

Conservation

Calothamnus arcuatus is classified as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife [5] meaning that it is poorly known and from one or a few locations. [7]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Calothamnus brevifolius</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Calothamnus aridus</i> Species of flowering plant

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Calothamnus glaber is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to near-coastal areas in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub, similar to Calothamnus blepharospermus but its leaves are slightly longer and narrower and the parts of its flowers are glabrous.

<i>Calothamnus hirsutus</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Calothamnus longissimus</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Calothamnus montanus</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Calothamnus oldfieldii</i> Species of flowering plant

Calothamnus oldfieldii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, spreading shrub with needle-shaped leaves and clusters of red flowers with 5 petals and 5 stamen bundles.

Calothamnus phellosus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a tall, spreading shrub with needle-shaped, prickly leaves and bright red flowers with five stamen bundles.

Calothamnus roseus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with needle-shaped, prickly leaves and pink flowers with four stamen bundles.

Calothamnus scabridus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with needle-shaped, prickly leaves and red flowers with four stamen bundles.

Calothamnus superbus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, often spreading, straggly shrub similar to Calothamnus aridus with its red flowers having 5 stamen bundles, but its leaves are longer and wider. It has a limited distribution near Pigeon Rocks south of Lake Barlee.

References

  1. 1 2 "Calothamnus arcuatus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  2. Craven, Lyn A.; Edwards, Robert D.; Cowley, Kirsten J. (30 June 2014). "New combinations and names in Melaleuca (Myrtaceae)". Taxon. 63 (3): 663–670. doi: 10.12705/633.38 .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 George, Alex S. (2010). "Calothamnus (Myrtaceae): precursor paper to Flora of Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 20: 183–185. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  4. "Calothamnus arcuatus". APNI. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Calothamnus arcuatus". FloraBase. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  6. "Warrego Energy PTY Ltd West Erregulla-2 Exploration Well Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF). Warrego Energy P/L. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  7. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 11 July 2019.