Phebalium brachycalyx

Phebalium brachycalyx is a species of shrub that is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is more or less covered with silvery and rust-coloured scales, and has narrow oblong leaves with wavy-glandular edges, and white to pale yellow flowers in umbels on the ends of branches.

Description

Phebalium brachycalyx is a shrub that typically grows to a height of and is more or less covered with silvery and rust-coloured scales. The leaves are narrow oblong, about long and about wide on a short petiole. The edge of the leaves are wavy-glandular and the mid-vein on the lower surface is warty. The flowers are white to pale yellow and arranged in umbels of three to six flowers, each flower on a thin pedicel long. The sepals are about long and joined for about half their length, scaly on the outside but glabrous inside. The petals are broadly elliptical, about long and wide, covered with silvery to rust-coloured scales on the outside. Flowering occurs from August to November.

Taxonomy and naming

Phebalium brachycalyx was first formally described in 1998 by Paul Wilson in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected at the south end of the Wongan Hills by Alex George.

Distribution and habitat

Phebalium brachycalyx grows on laterite on hills between Dalwallinu and Kondinin.

Conservation status

Phebalium brachycalyx is classified as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.