Calytrix tetragona
Calytrix tetragona, commonly known as common fringe-myrtle is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to all states of Australia. It is an erect or spreading shrub with linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and dense clusters of white or pink flowers with about 23 to 45 stamens.
Description
Calytrix tetragona is a shrub that typically grows to a height of up to. Its leaves are linear, oblong, egg-shaped, or lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, long, wide, the base abruptly narrowing to a petiole long. The flowers are usually borne in dense clusters on a narrowly funnel-shaped peduncle long with elliptic, egg-shaped or more or less round bracteoles long. The floral tube is long with ten ribbs, and partly fused to the style. The sepals are joined up to at the base, the lobes egg-shaped, elliptic or egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide with an awn up to long. The petals are white to pink, elliptic to lance-shaped, long and wide with about 23 to 45 stamens long in a single row. Flowering occurs n most months with a peak from August to October.
Taxonomy
Calytrix tetragona was first formally described in 1806 by Jacques Labillardière in his Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. The specific epithet means 'four-angled', referring to the decussate leaves.
Distribution and habitat
Common fringe-myrtle occurs in each state of Australia and in the Australian Capital Territory. It grows on sandplains, sand dunes, and on granite outcrops in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Nullarbor, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren bioregions is found from near Bunbury to near Albany where grows on stunted jarrah and Banksia forest in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia. In South Australia it is common in a wide range of habitats including heath, mallee and open forest in the southern part of the state. The species is widespread in Victoria, especially in sandy and gravelly soils and on rock platforms. It is the only species of Calytrix in Tasmania, and is a common coastal shrub. In New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, the species grows in heath, woodland and forest.
Conservation status
This species of Calytrix is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and of "least concern" by the Government of Queensland.
Use in horticulture
Common fringe-myrtle grows best in a sunny or lightly shaded situations in well-drained, lime-free. Some deep pink forms from near Keith appear to have potential as a garden subject.