Darwinia leiostyla

Darwinia leiostyla
In the Stirling Range.

Priority Four — Rare Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Darwinia
Species:
D. leiostyla
Binomial name
Darwinia leiostyla
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]
  • Darwinia lejostyla Domin
  • Genetyllis leiostyla Turcz.

Darwinia leiostyla is an erect shrub in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It typically grows to a height of 0.3–1.5 m (1 ft 0 in – 4 ft 11 in) and has linear leaves up to about 10 mm (0.39 in) long crowded along the branches. Pendent, bell-shaped, flower-like inflorescences appear from May to January. These are clusters of small flowers surrounded by larger pink, red or white, petal-like bracts.[2][3]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1852 by Nikolai Turczaninow who gave it the name Genetyllis leiostyla in the Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.[4][5] In 1923, Karel Domin changed the name to Darwinia leiostyla in Vestnik Kralovske Ceske Spolecnosti Nauk, Trida Matematiko-Prirodevedecke.[6] The specific epithet (leiostyla) means "having a smooth style".[7]

Distribution and habitat

Darwinia leiostyla occurs in the Stirling Range and Middle Mount Barren on rocky sites, along streamlines and on slopes within gullies and ranges.[8]

Conservation status

Darwinia leiostyla is classified as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife,[2] meaning that is rare or near threatened.[9]

Use in horticulture

This darwinia is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. It requires a warm, dry situation and tip pruning to maintain its shape.[10] It is suitable for container growing or rock gardens.[3][10]

  • D. leiostyla flower
    D. leiostyla flower

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Darwinia leiostyla.
  1. ^ a b "Darwinia leiostyla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Darwinia leiostyla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. ^ a b Seale, Allan (1988). Garden Companion to Australian Native Plants. Australia: Reed Books. ISBN 0730101878.
  4. ^ "Genetyllis leiostyla". APNI. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. ^ Turczaninow, Nikolai (1852). "Myrtaceae Xerocarpicae in Nova Hollandia a cl. Drummond lectae et plerumque in collectione ejus quinta distributae, determinatae et descriptae". Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg. 10: 323. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Darwinia leiostyla". APNI. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. ^ Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 237. ISBN 9780958034180.
  8. ^ Gardner, C.A. (1981). Wildflowers of Western Australia. Perth: St George Books. p. 10. ISBN 086778007X.
  9. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  10. ^ a b Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207154600.