Tricky Little Myrtles of Denmark Shire

Updated 25/3/2024. Index to my other posts.

The purpose of this post is to provide some information about the lesser known plants in the Myrtaceae family which occur in Denmark Shire. The following genera are better known and not included: Astartea, Calytrix, Corymbia, Darwinia, Eucalyptus, Hypocalymma, Kunzea, Melaleuca, Taxandria and Verticordia.

Actinodium cunninghamii - Albany Daisy

(c) geoffbyrne, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

Looking much more like a daisy than a myrtle, Actinodium cunninghamii is the only described specied of the genus. There is however an undescribed phrase name species which may occur in Denmark Shire though it doesn’t appear to have been collected there yet. It is distinguished by its smaller flowers, refer to thebeachcomber’s journal post for more information. Bottom line is if photographing this species be sure to get some measurements or something to provide scale!

Agonis theiformis

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

The only remaining species in the Agonis genus in Denmark Shire other than the well known Agonis flexuosa - Western Australian Peppermint. The remaining species, all of which share the characterisitc of having 10 stamens, one opposite each petal and sepal, were moved into the Taxandria genus. This species has 3 or 4 stamens opposite each sepal and has broad leaves which are often a little twisted.

Austrobaeckea pygmaea

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

Formerly Baeckea pygmaea, this species was assigned to the new Austrobaeckea genus in Nuytsia 32:173–197 (2021). The inflorescences have peduncles 4–11 mm long with 1–3 flowers which have pedicels 1.5–2.5 mm long. The flowers are tiny, about 4mm across with between 10 and 25 stamens. With 10 stamens they can look like a Taxandria flower when viewed from the front but the stalks differentiate them.

It is worth noting that Flora of the South West and How to Know Western Australian Wildflowers both incorrectly assert that the species has 10 (or maximum 10) stamens. The Nuytsia article referred to above discusses this.

Chamelaucium floriferum ssp. diffusum

(c) Cal Wood, some rights reserved (CC BY) Observation

A diffuse shrub. The flowers have 10 stamens alternating with 10 antherless filaments which are narrowly triangular to linear. Limited distribution in the Walpole area.

Chamelaucium forrestii

(c) orchidup, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

Found only in the Mount Frankland area, this species grows on granite outcrops. An erect shrub up to 2m high. The flowers droop on their stems and the style is exerted.

Conothamnus neglectus

(c) geoffbyrne, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

This is Melaleuca crispii on iNaturalist and does look like a Melaleuca. However, in Florabase and books it is in a different genus which makes it harder to identify.

Gaudium laevigatum (Coast Teatree)

(c) Loxley Fedec, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

Common names include Coast Teatree and Australian Tea Tree. This is Leptospermum laevigatum on iNaturalist. It is native to the east coast of Australia, introduced in Western Australia and so far there are no iNat observations in Dennmark Shire.

Homalospermum firmum

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

The only named species of Homalospermum. Quite large showy flowers with numerous stamens. The fruits are distinctive and good for identification in the absence of flowers.

Pericalymma genus

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

There are three species, one divided into two variaties, that occur in Denmark Shire. This is a genus I plan to look at more closely next spring when they will be flowering. At present I will leave this entry at genus level. Shrubs with intricately divided branchlets and white or pink usually single small flowers. 10–25 stamens in a ring, shorter than the petals.

Rinzia schollerifolia

(c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Observation

Common name Cranberry Rinzia. Flowers are generally pink but can also be white. The 10 stamens are on flattened filaments and are quite distinctive.

Posted on March 9, 2024 07:47 AM by boobook99