Micromyrtus rogeri

Micromyrtus rogeri
Conservation status
Priority One — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Micromyrtus
Species:	M. rogeri
Binomial name
Micromyrtus rogeri Rye[1]

Micromyrtus rogeri is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is shrub with egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and white flowers with 10 stamens.

Description

Micromyrtus rogeri is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) with many erect stems arising from a lignotuber. Its leaves are egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 3.0–4.5 mm (0.12–0.18 in) long, 2.0–2.5 mm (0.079–0.098 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–0.6 mm (0.020–0.024 in) long with 8 to 10 prominent oil glands on the lower surface. The flowers are borne in racemes of 3 to 8 in leaf axils near the ends of branches on a peduncle 0.8–1.3 mm (0.031–0.051 in) long with egg-shaped, pale brown, toothed bracteoles about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The flowers are about 3.5 mm (0.14 in) in diameter with sepals 0.4–0.5 mm (0.016–0.020 in) long. The petals are white, about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long with 10 stamens in each flower. Flowering occurs from July to October.[2][3]

Taxonomy

Micromyrtus rogeri was first formally described in 2002 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by Roger Hnatiuk about 30 km (19 mi) west-north-west of Arrino in 1980.[4] The specific epithet (rogeri) honours Hnatiuk, the collector of the Type specimens.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This species of micromyrtus grows in sandy soils and gravel over laterite on breakaways near Arrino and Koojan in the Geraldton Sandplains and Jarrah Forest bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]

Conservation status

Micromyrtus rogeri is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[5]

References

1. "Micromyrtus rogeri". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
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): 117–118. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
3. "Micromyrtus rogeri". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
4. "Micromyrtus rogeri``". APNI. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
5. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 12 January 2024.