Kunzea similis

Kunzea similis is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.5–3 m (1 ft 8 in–9 ft 10 in) and has several main stems with few branches. Young branches are densely covered with silky hairs. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1.4–2.8 mm (0.055–0.110 in) long on a petiole about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long. It differs from K. capitata in having leaves with a single vein. The flowers are arranged in more or less spherical groups of between four and ten flowers on the ends of the shoots. There are lance-shaped to egg-shaped bracts and pairs of bracteoles at the base of the flowers. The sepals are triangular, 1–1.3 mm (0.039–0.051 in) long and densely covered with silky hairs. The petals are pink, spatula-shaped to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and 3–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long. There are between 32 and 44 stamens that are 5.6–6.4 mm (0.22–0.25 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to November and the fruit is an urn-shaped capsule.[2][3]

Kunzea similis was first formally described in 1996 by Hellmut R. Toelken and the description was published in Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.[2][4] The specific epithet (similis) is a Latin word meaning "like".[5]

Two subspecies were described in 2007 by Toelken and Gillian Craig and are accepted by the Australian Plant Census:[6]

• Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea Toelken & G.F.Craig,[7][8] a shrub that grows to a height of 3 m (9.8 ft) and has bracteoles that are longer than those of the autonym;
• Kunzea similis Toelken subsp. similis,[9] a smaller shrub with bracteoles that are hidden between the flowers.

Subspecies similis occurs in the Fitzgerald River National Park near Hopetoun, where it grows in sparse, low heath. Subspecies mediterranea is found in a small area to the east of Ravensthorpe growing on a ridge top in open mallee and dense heath.[6]

Both subspecies of K. similis are classified as "Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora — Extant)" by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia).[3] Subspecies similis is listed as "critically endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The main threat to the subspecies is the fungal disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi.[10]