Micromyrtus erichsenii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Micromyrtus
Species:
M. erichsenii
Binomial name
Micromyrtus erichsenii

Micromyrtus erichsenii is a species of the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with small, egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and white or cream-coloured flowers 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter and 5 to 10 stamens.

Description

Micromyrtus erichsenii is an erect shrub that typically grows to 0.3–2.0 m (1 ft 0 in – 6 ft 7 in) high. Its leaves are erect to almost pressed against the stem, egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 1.2–2.4 mm (0.047–0.094 in) long and 0.8–1.2 mm (0.031–0.047 in) wide on a petiole 0.3–0.5 mm (0.012–0.020 in) long. The flowers are about 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter, and arranged in up to 9 upper leaf axils on a peduncle 1.3–2 mm (0.051–0.079 in) long with egg-shaped bracteoles 0.6–1 mm (0.024–0.039 in) long but that fall off as the flower opens. The sepals are broadly egg-shaped, 0.2–0.6 mm (0.0079–0.0236 in) wide and the petals are white or cream-coloured, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and 1.1–1.6 mm (0.043–0.063 in) long. There are 5 to 10 stamens, the anthers about 0.2 mm (0.0079 in) long. Flowering occurs between February and November and the fruit is 1.3–1.7 mm (0.051–0.067 in) long and 0.7–1 mm (0.028–0.039 in) wide containing a single seed.[2][3]

Taxonomy

Micromyrtus erichsenii was first formally described in 1905 by William Hensley in Hooker's Icones Plantarum from specimens collected near Dedari.[4][5] The specific epithet (erichsenii) honours Frederick Ole Erickson.[6]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows on sandplains in shrubland or open woodland between Merredin, Coolgardie, Newdegate and Norseman.[2][3]

References

  1. "Micromyrtus erichsenii". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 Rye, Barbara L. (2002). "A revision of south-western Australian species of Micromyrtus (Myrtaceae) with five antisepalous ribs on the hypanthium". Nuytsia. 15 (1): 108–109. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Micromyrtus erichsenii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. "Micromyrtus erichsenii". APNI. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  5. Hemsley, William (1905). Hooker, William J. (ed.). Icones Plantarum. Vol. 28. London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown Green and Longman. p. 2780. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 193. ISBN 9780958034180.
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