Calytrix simplex

Calytrix simplex
In Wandoo National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Calytrix
Species:	C. simplex
Binomial name
Calytrix simplex Lindl. [1]
Synonyms [1]
Calycothrix simplex(Lindl.) Schauer Calythrix simplex Benth. orth. var.

Calytrix simplex is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with hairy branchlets, linear to oblong leaves and purple flowers with about 25 to 50 stamens in several rows.

Description

Calytrix simplex is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 50 cm (20 in) and has branchlets covered with soft hairs. Its leaves are linear to oblong, 1.5–10 mm (0.059–0.394 in) long and 0.6–1 mm (0.024–0.039 in) wide on a petiole 0.2–1 mm (0.0079–0.0394 in) long, with stipules up to 0.25 mm (0.0098 in) long at the base of the petiole. The flowers are on a narrowly funnel-shaped peduncle 4–8.5 mm (0.16–0.33 in) long with egg-shaped lobes 2.0–4.5 mm (0.079–0.177 in) long. The floral tube is spindle-shaped, 4.5–9.5 mm (0.18–0.37 in) long and has ten ribs. The sepals are more or less round to egg-shaped, 1.25–2.0 mm (0.049–0.079 in) long, 1.25–8 mm (0.049–0.315 in) wide with an awn up to 10 mm (0.39 in) long. The petals are purple, sometimes with a yellow base and there are about 25 to 50 stamens with purple filaments in two or three rows. Flowering time depends on subspecies. ^{[2] [3]}

Taxonomy

Calytrix simplex was first formally described in 1839 by John Lindley in his A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony . ^{[4] [5]} The specific epithet (simplex) means 'simple', hence 'not divided' referring to the stems. ^[6]

In 1987, Lyndley Craven described Calytrix simplex subsp. suboppositifolia in the journal Brunonia , and that name, and that of the autonym are accepted by the Australian Plant Census: ^[2]

• Calytrix simplexLindl. subsp. simplex (the autonym) ^[7] has leaf blades that are 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) long, petals that are broadly lance-shaped and flowers in October and November. ^[2]
• Calytrix simplex subsp. suboppositifoliaCraven ^[8] has leaf blades that are 1.5–6 mm (0.059–0.236 in) long, petals that are elliptic and flowers in November and December. ^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Calytrix simplex subsp. simplex grows on the Darling Range ^{[2] [9]} and subsp. oppositifolia grows in heath on sand with lateritic gravel on sand plains between the Pingelly-Wagin Lake districts and the Newdegate district. ^[10]

Conservation status

Subspecies simplex is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, ^[9] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations where it is potentially at risk. ^[11] but subsp. oppositifolia is listed as "not threatened". ^[10]

References

1. "Calytrix simplex". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
2. Craven, Lyndley (1987). "A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae)". Brunonia: 100–102.
3. "Calytrix simplex". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
4. "Calytrix simplex". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
5. Lindley, John (1839). A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Piccadilly: James Ridgway. p. v. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
6. George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 307. ISBN   9780958034180.
7. "Calytrix simplex subsp. simplex". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
8. "Calytrix simplex subsp. suboppositifolia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
9. "Calytrix simplex subsp. simplex". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
10. "Calytrix simplex subsp. oppositifolia". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
11. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 9 February 2025.