Darwinia leiostyla | |
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In the Stirling Range. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Darwinia |
Species: | D. leiostyla
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Binomial name | |
Darwinia leiostyla | |
Occurrence data from AVH | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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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]
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]
Darwinia leiostyla occurs in the Stirling Range and Middle Mount Barren on rocky sites, along streamlines and on slopes within gullies and ranges. [8]
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]
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]