Darwinia leiostyla

Darwinia leiostyla is an erect shrub in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It typically grows to a height of 0.3–1.5 m (1 ft 0 in–4 ft 11 in) and has linear leaves up to about 10 mm (0.39 in) long crowded along the branches. Pendent, bell-shaped, flower-like inflorescences appear from May to January. These are clusters of small flowers surrounded by larger pink, red or white, petal-like bracts.[2][3]

Darwinia leiostyla
In the Stirling Range.

Priority Four — Rare Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Darwinia
Species:
D. leiostyla
Binomial name
Darwinia leiostyla
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]
  • Darwinia lejostyla Domin
  • Genetyllis leiostyla Turcz.

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1852 by Nikolai Turczaninow who gave it the name Genetyllis leiostyla in the Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.[4][5] In 1923, Karel Domin changed the name to Darwinia leiostyla in Vestnik Kralovske Ceske Spolecnosti Nauk, Trida Matematiko-Prirodevedecke.[6] The specific epithet (leiostyla) means "having a smooth style".[7]

Distribution and habitat

Darwinia leiostyla occurs in the Stirling Range and Middle Mount Barren on rocky sites, along streamlines and on slopes within gullies and ranges.[8]

Conservation status

Darwinia leiostyla is classified as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife,[2] meaning that is rare or near threatened.[9]

Use in horticulture

This darwinia is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. It requires a warm, dry situation and tip pruning to maintain its shape.[10] It is suitable for container growing or rock gardens.[3][10]

References
  1. "Darwinia leiostyla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. "Darwinia leiostyla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  3. Seale, Allan (1988). Garden Companion to Australian Native Plants. Australia: Reed Books. ISBN 0730101878.
  4. "Genetyllis leiostyla". APNI. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. Turczaninow, Nikolai (1852). "Myrtaceae Xerocarpicae in Nova Hollandia a cl. Drummond lectae et plerumque in collectione ejus quinta distributae, determinatae et descriptae". Bulletin de la Classe Physico-Mathématique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg. 10: 323. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. "Darwinia leiostyla". APNI. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 237. ISBN 9780958034180.
  8. Gardner, C.A. (1981). Wildflowers of Western Australia. Perth: St George Books. p. 10. ISBN 086778007X.
  9. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  10. Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207154600.
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