Calothamnus gilesii

Calothamnus gilesii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, usually compact shrub with fine, pine-like foliage and which produces cluster of red flowers from June to January. (In 2014 Craven, Edwards and Cowley proposed that the species be renamed Melaleuca gilesii.)[2]

Calothamnus gilesii
Calothamnus gilesii in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Calothamnus
Species:
C. gilesii
Binomial name
Calothamnus gilesii
Synonyms

Melaleuca gilesii (F.Muell.) Craven & R.D.Edwards

Description

Calothamnus gilesii is an erect, or open, spreading shrub growing to a height of about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). Its leaves are fine, circular in cross section and up to 120 millimetres (5 in) long tapering to a sharp point.[3][4]

The flowers are bright red and arranged in small groups. The stamens are arranged in 5 claw-like bundles. Flowering occurs in late spring and summer and is followed by fruits which are woody capsules.[3][4]

Calothamnus gilesii growth habit
Calothamnus gilesii fruits

Taxonomy and naming

Calothamnus gilesii was first formally described by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1876 in the tenth volume of Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[1][5] It is not clear whether the specific epithet (gilesii) honours Ernest Giles who conducted major expeditions in central Australia[6] or Ernest Giles's friend, Christopher Giles, both of whom made collections for Mueller.[7] Mueller noted that the collection was made by "Giles and Young".[5]

Distribution and habitat

Calothamnus gilesii is widespread in the drier areas of south-western Western Australia including the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Great Victoria Desert, Mallee, Murchison, Nullarbor Plain and Yalgoo biogeographic regions. It grows on sandplains and stony ridges.[8]

Conservation

This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian government department of parks and wildlife.[8]

Use in horticulture

In cultivation, the species adapts well to harsh, hot situations. It tolerates some dryness and moderate frost.[9]

References
  1. "Calothamnus gilesii". APNI. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  2. Craven, Lyn A.; Edwards, Robert D.; Cowley, Kirsten J. (30 June 2014). "New combinations and names in Melaleuca (Myrtaceae)". Taxon. 63 (3): 665. doi:10.12705/633.38.
  3. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 194. ISBN 0002165759.
  4. Phillips, Roger. "Calothamnus gilesii". Rogers Trees and Shrubs. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  5. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1876). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 10. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. p. 31. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  6. "Giles, W. Ernest P. (1835 - 1897)". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  7. "Giles, Christopher (c. 1841-1917)". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  8. "Calothamnus gilesii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  9. Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207154600.
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