Melaleuca camptoclada

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Melaleuca camptoclada
Melaleuca camptoclada (leaves and flowers).JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. camptoclada
Binomial name
Melaleuca camptoclada
F.C.Quinn

Melaleuca camptoclada is a shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It was first described in 1990 in a review of the genus Melaleuca when the species Melaleuca laxiflora at that time was found to comprise ten species. Two of those species were new - M. camptoclada and M. ctenoides . [1]

Contents

Description

Melaleuca camptoclada is a shrub growing to a height of about 3 m (10 ft). Its leaves and branches are glabrous or almost so. The leaves are 2.9–5.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 1.5–1.8 mm (0.06–0.07 in) wide and elliptical in shape. [2]

The flowers are mauve and are arranged in heads or spikes to 16 mm (0.6 in) in diameter, with 5 to 15 individual flowers. The petals are 1.5–2.4 mm (0.06–0.09 in) long and fall off as the flowers open. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flower with 9 to 16 stamens in each bundle. Flowering occurs from September to November and the fruit are woody capsules, 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.14 in) long. [2]

Habit in the Stirling Range National Park Melaleuca camptoclada (habit).JPG
Habit in the Stirling Range National Park
M. camptoclada fruit Melaleuca camptoclada (fruits).JPG
M. camptoclada fruit

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca camptoclada was first formally described in 1990 by F.C.Quinn from a specimen found near the Stirling Ranges. [3] The specific epithet (camptoclada) is from the Greek camptos, (flexible or curved) and clados (a shoot or branch), referring to the habit of this species. [2]

Distribution and habitat

This melaleuca occurs in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren biogeographic regions. [4] It grows in gravelly sand and clay loam. [5]

Conservation status

Melaleuca camptoclada is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Melaleuca longistaminea</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Melaleuca orbicularis</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Melaleuca ryeae</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Melaleuca zeteticorum</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Melaleuca apostiba</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Melaleuca coccinea</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Melaleuca ctenoides</i> Species of shrub

Melaleuca ctenoides is a shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It was first described in 1990 in a review of the genus Melaleuca when the species M. laxiflora at that time was found to comprise ten species. Two of those species were new - M. camptoclada and M. ctenoides. It similar to Melaleuca laxiflora but distinguished from it by its comb-like leaves and attractive mauve or violet flowers in spring.

<i>Melaleuca dichroma</i> Species of shrub

Melaleuca dichroma is a shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is unusual for its genus in that its flowers are yellow or creamy-white but age to a pinkish-red.

<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.

References

  1. Cowley, KJ; Quinn, FC; Barlow, BA; Craven, LA (1990). "Contributions to a revision of (Myrtaceae): 7–10". Australian Systematic Botany. 3 (2): 165. doi:10.1071/SB9900165 . Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Brophy, Joseph J.; Craven, Lyndley A.; Doran, John C. (2013). Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. p. 111. ISBN   9781922137517.
  3. "Melaleuca camptoclada". APNI. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Melaleuca camptoclada". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  5. Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 392. ISBN   0646402439.