Balaustion hemisphaericum
Balaustion hemisphaericum is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of Western Australia. It is a shrub with oblong to narrowly oblong or egg-shaped leaves, and white or pink flowers with 16 to 23 stamens.Description
Balaustion hemisphaericum is a shrub that typically grows to high and about wide. Its leaves are oblong to narrowly oblong or egg-shaped, long wide and thick with a deeply convex lower surface and two or three rows of oil glands either side of the midvein. The flowers are in diameter, each flower on a pedicel long. The floral tube is hemispherical, long and wide and the sepals are egg-shaped, long and wide with a deep pink border. The petals are white or pink, long, usually wide with 16 to 23 stamens. Flowering occurs from July to early October, and the fruit is a capsule long and in diameter.Taxonomy
Balaustion hemisphaericum was first formally described in 2022 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected north-east of Arrino in 1990. The specific epithet means 'half-spherical', referring to the shape of the floral tube.Distribution and habitat
This species of Balaustion grows in rocky or gravelly habitats between Canna and Billeranga Hills near Merkanooka, in the Avon Wheatbelt bioregion.Conservation status
Balaustion hemisphaericum is listed as "Declared [Rare and Priority Flora List|Priority One]" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and [Attractions (Western Australia)|Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions], meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations where it is potentially at risk.