Kunzea

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Kunzea
Kunzea obovata 02.jpg
Kunzea obovata growing near Tenterfield
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Subfamily: Myrtoideae
Tribe: Leptospermeae
Genus: Kunzea
Rchb. [1]
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • TillospermumSalisb.
  • PentagonasterKlotzsch
  • SalisiaLindl.
  • StenospermumSweet ex Heynh.
  • AngasomyrtusTrudgen & Keighery

Kunzea is a genus of plants in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to Australasia. They are shrubs, sometimes small trees and usually have small, crowded, rather aromatic leaves. The flowers are similar to those of plants in the genus Leptospermum but differ in having stamens that are longer than the petals. Most kunzeas are endemic to Western Australia but a few occur in eastern Australia and a few are found in New Zealand. The taxonomy of the genus is not settled and is complicated by the existence of a number of hybrids.

Contents

Description

Plants in the genus Kunzea are shrubs or small trees, usually with their leaves arranged alternately along the branches. The flowers are arranged in clusters near the ends of the branches, which in some species, continue to grow after flowering. The flowers of most species lack a stalk but those that have one are usually solitary or in groups of two or three. In some species, the flowers are surrounded by enlarged bracts. There are five petals, five sepals and a large number of stamens which are always longer than the petals. The fruit is a usually a woody capsule. [3] Kunzeas are similar to species in other genera of the Myrtaceae, especially Leptospermum but are distinguished from that genus by having stamens that are longer than the petals. [4]

Kunzea phylicoides foliage and fruit Ti-tree sprig2.jpg
Kunzea phylicoides foliage and fruit

Taxonomy and naming

The first formal description of a kunzea was published in 1828 by Ludwig Reichenbach in his book Conspectus Regni Vegetabilis. Reichenbach referred to three species – K. capitata , K. ericifolia and K. corifolia (now K. ambigua ) – but did not nominate a type species. [1] [5] In 1981, Hellmut Toelken nominated K. capitata as the type species. [6] Reichenbach named the genus after his "distinguished friend", the German naturalist Gustav Kunze, professor of botany in Leipzig. [5] [7] The taxonomy of the genus is not settled and hybrids often occur where two species occur in the same area. [3]

Distribution

The majority of Kunzea species are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia but there are species in every Australian state and in New Zealand. [2]

Use in horticulture

Some species of Kunzea are suitable for use in gardens. Kunzea ambigua is described as a "handsome shrub which attracts numerous birds and colourful soldier beetles when in flower". A form of this species from southern Victoria reputedly flowers profusely with sprays of scented flowers. [4] Kunzea capitata and K. pulchella are red-flowering species from Western Australia and are described as "indeed outstanding" although they are sometimes difficult to establish in eastern states and need to be grafted onto hardier rootstock. [8]

Species

Sourced from the authoritative Australian Plant Name Index and Australian Plant Census as of January 2017 and the Kew Gardens World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. [1] [2]

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<i>Homoranthus</i> Genus of flowering plants

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<i>Beaufortia</i> (plant) Genus of flowering plants

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<i>Micromyrtus</i> Genus of shrubs

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<i>Kunzea ambigua</i> Species of flowering plant

Kunzea ambigua, commonly known as white kunzea, poverty bush or tick bush, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is found mainly on sandstone soils in eastern Australia. Growing up to 5 m (16 ft) high and wide, it bears small white flowers in spring. Used in native gardening, it attracts native insects. It is also used in amenities planting and sand dune stabilization.

<i>Kunzea pulchella</i> Species of flowering plant

Kunzea pulchella, commonly known as granite kunzea, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with spreading branches, egg-shaped to lance-shaped leaves and loose groups of red flowers, each on a short stalk so that the branch is visible between the flowers.

<i>Kunzea baxteri</i> Species of flowering plant

Kunzea baxteri, commonly known as scarlet kunzea, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia where it occurs near granite outcrops and hills. It is a shrub with large, scarlet, bottlebrush-like flower clusters, making it popular as a garden feature.

<i>Kunzea preissiana</i> Species of shrub

Kunzea preissiana is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a shrub with hairy branches and leaves, pink to mauve flowers in groups on the ends of shoots, and twenty to thirty stamens about the same length as the petals. It is a widespread, often locally common species across its range.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Kunzea Rchb". APNI. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kunzea Rchb". Royal Botanic Gardens kew. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 Wilson, Peter G. "Genus Kunzea". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Kunzea ambigua Tick Bush". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 Reichenbach, Ludwig (1828). Conspectus Regni Vegetabilis. Leipzig. p. 175. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  6. Toelken, Hellmu R. (1996). "A Revision of the Genus Kunzea (Myrtaceae) I. The Western Australian Section Zeanuk". Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 17: 28.
  7. Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1993). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Volume 6 (K-M). Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 15. ISBN   978-0-85091-589-1.
  8. McCarthy, Norm. "The genus Kunzea". Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants. Retrieved 23 November 2016.