Calothamnus quadrifidus

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One-sided bottlebrush
Calothamnus quadrifidus fg01.JPG
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. quadrifidus
Binomial name
Calothamnus quadrifidus
Synonyms

Melaleuca quadrifida (R.Br.) Craven & R.D.Edwards

Yellow form Calothamnus quadrifidus yellow form.jpg
Yellow form

Calothamnus quadrifidus, commonly known as one-sided bottlebrush, [2] is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. The common name alludes to the arrangement of the flowers in the inflorescence which line up on one side of the stem. It is a shrub with grey-green, pine-like foliage covered with soft hairs and red, four-part flowers in spring. Widely cultivated because of its attractive foliage, colourful, unusual and prolific flowers, it grows in a variety of habitats and soils. In 2010, Alex George published a review of the species based on recent research and described a number of new subspecies. (In 2014 Craven, Edwards and Cowley proposed that the species be renamed Melaleuca quadrifida.) [3]

Contents

Description

Calothamnus quadrifidus is a shrub which sometimes grows to a height of 5 metres (20 ft) although usually much less and it sometimes has a lignotuber. Its leaves are variable, depending on subspecies, but usually 10–50 millimetres (0.4–2 in) long and 0.8–10 millimetres (0.03–0.4 in) wide, sometimes circular in cross section but in some subspecies flat. [2] [4] [5]

The flowers are usually red, although there are white and yellow forms, with the red flowered form most commonly seen in cultivation. The flowers are arranged in clusters, usually on one side of the stem amongst the older leaves. There are four petals, each 3.5–4 millimetres (0.1–0.2 in) long which fall off soon after the flower opens. The stamens are arranged in 4 claw-like bundles, all about the same length. In most subspecies, flowering occurs in spring. Flowering is followed by fruits which are woody, barrel-shaped capsules, 6–14 millimetres (0.24–0.55 in) long. [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Calothamnus quadrifidus was first formally described in 1812 by Robert Brown from a specimen he collected at Lucky Bay near Esperance during the Investigator expedition with Matthew Flinders. The description was published in Curtis's Botanical Magazine (edited by John Sims). [6] [7]

The subspecies described by Alex George and recognised by the Western Australian Herbarium are: [4]

Distribution and habitat

Calothamnus quadrifidus is common and widespread in the Eremaean and South-West botanical provinces, occurring in a wide range of habitats and growing in a range of soils. [8]

Ecology

Research on the competition between honeybees (Apis mellifera) and honeyeaters (especially the Brown honeyeater and White-cheeked honeyeater) for the nectar of Calothamnus quadrifidus has shown that honeyeaters consume more nectar early in the day. Honeybees, because of their much greater numbers consume a larger volume of nectar but nevertheless, honeyeaters were the more important in pollen dispersal. [9]

Conservation status

Calothamnus quadrifidus is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife [8] but subspecies asper is listed as "Priority Two" [10] meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations. Suspecies teretifolius is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife, [11] meaning that is rare or near threatened. [12]

Uses

Horticulture

Calothamnus quadrifidus is probably the best known of the genus in cultivation. It has attractive foliage, colourful flowers over a long period, is frost hardy and drought tolerant when well established. [13] It is attractive to honey-eating birds and although it can become woody with age, it responds well to pruning. [2]

Phytotherapeutic studies

This species has been used in phytotherapeutic studies and its aerial parts have been found to contain phenolic acids and flavonoids. [14]

Related Research Articles

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

Calothamnus chrysanthereus , commonly known as claw flower is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with needle-shaped leaves crowded on the ends of the branches and bright red flowers in spring.

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

Calothamnus graniticus, commonly known as granite claw flower, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. There are two subspecies, both of which have been classified as "near threatened". It is an erect, rounded shrub with pine-like, dark, grey-green foliage and usually bright red flowers. Calothamnus graniticus subsp. graniticus occurs in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and is the floral emblem of the nearby city of Busselton.

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

Calothamnus villosus, commonly known as woolly net-bush or silky net-bush, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a tall shrub, often forming thickets. It has thin, cylindrical leaves and blood red flowers for many months of the year. It is superficially similar to Calothamnus quadrifidus but can be distinguished from that species by its flowers which have five stamen claws compared to the four of C. quadrifidus.

<i>Melaleuca incana <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> incana</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Melaleuca incana subsp. incana, commonly known as grey honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and is naturalised in the south of Victoria in Australia. It is commonly grown as a garden plant and produces large numbers of white or creamy yellow flowers in early spring.

<i>Melaleuca incana <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> tenella</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Melaleuca incana subsp. tenella is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae which is endemic to the south coast of Western Australia. It was formerly known as Melaleuca tenella Benth. but was reduced to a subspecies in 1998. It is similar to M. incana subsp. incana except in the form of the plant, the size and shape of its leaves, its flowering time and distribution.

<i>Melaleuca fulgens <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> steedmanii</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Melaleuca fulgens subsp. steedmanii, commonly known as the scarlet honey myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. In 1990, the species Melaleuca fulgens was separated into 3 subspecies. Of the two subspecies occurring in the south-west, this one has the narrower distribution, occurring mainly near Geraldton. As with the other subspecies, this one is notable for its showy flowers which are usually red but its foliage and fruits are also attractive features.

Calothamnus formosus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a large, spreading, densely foliaged shrub with almost cylindrical, pointed leaves and red flowers in spring or summer. There are two subspecies, differing mainly in the length of their leaves.

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

Calothamnus pachystachyus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, much-branched shrub with thick bark, flat leaves and clusters of red flowers in spring.

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. angustifolia is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that it has longer leaves than most although in some areas there are plants that are intermediate with Calothamnus quadrifolius subsp. obtusus. The leaves are flat, narrow and prickly.

<i>Calothamnus quadrifidus <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> asper</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are short, flat and obviously rough and scaly when mature.

<i>Calothamnus quadrifidus <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> homalophyllus</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. homalophyllus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are longer and wider.

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. obtusus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are linear and somewhat rough and scaly and the stamen bundles are relatively short.

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are linear and somewhat rough and scaly and the stamen bundles are relatively long.

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are circular in cross section and the leaves and flower cup usually have a sparse covering of long, soft hairs.

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. seminudus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are linear and somewhat rough and scaly and the stamen bundles are relatively long.

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to other subspecies of Calothamnus quadrifidus except that its leaves are glabrous and cylindrical.

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.

<i>Eremaea asterocarpa</i> Species of flowering plant

Eremaea asterocarpa is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with broad, flat leaves, and orange-coloured flowers in late winter or spring. Single flowers appear on the ends of branches formed the previous year.

References

  1. ↑ "Calothamnus quadrifidus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Calothamnus quadrifidus". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  3. ↑ 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 .
  4. 1 2 3 George, Alex S.; Gibson, Neil (2010). "A revision of Calothamnus quadrifidus (Myrtaceae)" (PDF). Nuytsia. 20: 57–58. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  5. 1 2 Archer, William (30 March 2009). "One-sided Bottlebrush - Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus". Esperance Wildflowers. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Calothamnus quadrifidus". APNI. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Brown, Robert; Sims (ed.), John (1813). Curtis's Botanical Magazine. London: Sherwood, Neely and Jones. p. 1506. Retrieved 1 August 2015.{{cite book}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  8. 1 2 "Calothamnus quadrifidus". FloraBase. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Collins, Brian G.; Newland, Charles; Briffa, Peter (December 1984). "Nectar utilization and pollination by Australian honeyeaters and insects visiting Calothamnus quadrifidus (Myrtaceae)". Australian Journal of Ecology. 9 (4): 353–365. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.1984.tb01373.x.
  10. ↑ "Calothamnus quadrifidus subspecies asper". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  11. ↑ "Calothamnus quadrifidus subspecies teretifolius". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  12. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  13. ↑ Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 195. ISBN   978-0002165754.
  14. ↑ Ayoub, Nahla A.; El-Ahmady, Sherweit H.; Abdel Nasser, Singab B.; Al-Azizi, Mohamed M. (2007). "Phytotherapeutic studies on Calothamnus quadrifidus R. Br (Myrtaceae)". Natural Products. 3 (1): 30–37.
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