Calytrix fraseri

Calytrix fraseri
	Calytrix fraseri flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Calytrix
Species:	C. fraseri
Binomial name
	Calytrix fraseri; A.Cunn.

Last updated March 17, 2019

Calytrix fraseri, commonly known as pink summer calytrix or pink summer starflower,^[1] is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.^[2]

Myrtaceae or the myrtle family is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pohutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All species are woody, contain essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. The leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually entire. The flowers have a base number of five petals, though in several genera the petals are minute or absent. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured and numerous.

Endemism is the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation, country or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. The extreme opposite of endemism is cosmopolitan distribution. An alternative term for a species that is endemic is precinctive, which applies to species that are restricted to a defined geographical area.

Description

The perennial shrub typically grows to a height of 0.2 to 1 metre (1 to 3 ft) and can reach as high as 2 m (7 ft) and with a width of 0.2 to 0.6 m (1 to 2 ft). It usually blooms between November and August producing pink-purple-yellow star-shaped flowers^[2] which gave contrasting stamens.^[3] The foliage is evergreen with on open or dense habit.^[3]

It can be grown from seed, softwood cutting or semi-hardwood cutting. It is grown in garden beds in pots suitable for cut flowers and attracts bees and other insects. The plant will tolerate light frost and is drought resistant.^[3]

Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor to ice as the water vapor reaches the freezing point. In temperate climates, it most commonly appears on surfaces near the ground as fragile white crystals; in cold climates, it occurs in a greater variety of forms. The propagation of crystal formation occurs by the process of nucleation.

Drought extended period when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply

A drought or drouth is a natural disaster of below-average precipitation in a given region, resulting in prolonged shortages in the water supply, whether atmospheric, surface water or ground water. A drought can last for months or years, or may be declared after as few as 15 days. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region and harm to the local economy. Annual dry seasons in the tropics significantly increase the chances of a drought developing and subsequent bush fires. Periods of heat can significantly worsen drought conditions by hastening evaporation of water vapour.

Distribution

Found on sand-plains, sand dunes and among granite outcrops in a small area along the west coast in the Mid West, Wheatbelt and South West regions of Western Australia where it grows on sandy soils. It is found as far north as Kalbarri and as far east as Lake Grace.

The Mid West region is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It is a sparsely populated region extending from the west coast of Western Australia, about 200 kilometres (120 mi) north and south of its administrative centre of Geraldton and inland to 450 kilometres (280 mi) east of Wiluna in the Gibson Desert.

The Wheatbelt is one of nine regions of Western Australia defined as administrative areas for the state's regional development, and a vernacular term for the area converted to agriculture during colonisation. It partially surrounds the Perth metropolitan area, extending north from Perth to the Mid West region, and east to the Goldfields-Esperance region. It is bordered to the south by the South West and Great Southern regions, and to the west by the Indian Ocean, the Perth metropolitan area, and the Peel region. Altogether, it has an area of 154,862 square kilometres (59,793 sq mi).

The South West region is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It is so named because it is located in the south-west corner of Western Australia. The South West region has an area of 23,970 km², and a population of about 170,000 people, which is predicted to rise to 217,000 people by 2023.

Classification

The species was first formally described by the botanist Allan Cunningham in 1834 in the journal Botanical Magazine.^[4] The plant is named in honour of Charles Fraser, first superintendent of the Sydney botanical gardens and colonial botanist.^[1]

Allan Cunningham was an English botanist and explorer, primarily known for his travels in Australia to collect plants.

Charles Fraser or Frazer or Frazier was Colonial Botanist of New South Wales from 1821 to 1831. He collected and catalogued numerous Australian plant species, and participated in a number of exploring expeditions. He was a member of the Stirling expedition of 1827, and his report on the quality of the soil was instrumental in the decision to establish the Swan River Colony.

Related Research Articles

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Calytrix glutinosa is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix gracilis is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix habrantha is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

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Calytrix parvivallis is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix paucicostata is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix praecipua is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix truncatifolia is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix verruculosa is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix variabilis is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix harvestiana is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix oldfieldii is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

Calytrix purpurea is a species of plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Western Australia.

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References

1 2 "Calytrix fraseri Common name: Pink Summer Star Flower". Friends of Queens Park. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
1 2 "Calytrix fraseri". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
1 2 3 "Calytrix fraseri – Star Flower". Gardening with Angus. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
↑ "Calytrix fraseri A.Cunn". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 19 February 2017.

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[queens-1] 1 2 "Calytrix fraseri Common name: Pink Summer Star Flower". Friends of Queens Park. Retrieved 19 February 2017.

[FloraBase-2] 1 2 "Calytrix fraseri". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.

[angus-3] 1 2 3 "Calytrix fraseri – Star Flower". Gardening with Angus. Retrieved 19 February 2017.

[4] "Calytrix fraseri A.Cunn". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 19 February 2017.