Regelia cymbifolia
Regelia cymbifolia is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a much branched shrub bearing tiny, wedge shaped leaves and clusters of deep pink to purple flowers on the ends of its branches in spring.
Regelia cymbifolia | |
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Near Woogenellup in the Stirling Range area | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Regelia |
Species: | R. cymbifolia |
Binomial name | |
Regelia cymbifolia | |
Synonyms | |
Melaleuca cyathifolia Craven & R.D.Edwards |
Description
Regelia cymbifolia is much branched shrub which grows to a height of 2 m (7 ft). The leaves are arranged in alternating pairs (decussate), so that they make four rows along the stems. They are egg-shaped, usually less than 4 mm (0.16 in) long, curved with their lower half pressed against the stem and have a prominent mid-vein.[2]
The flowers are deep pink to purple and arranged in small clusters on the ends of branches that continue to grow after flowering. There are 5 sepals, 5 petals and 5 bundles of stamens. Flowering occurs between August and November and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules.[2][3]
![](../I/Regelia_cymbifolia_(habit)_02.JPG.webp)
![](../I/Regelia_cymbifolia_(fruits).JPG.webp)
Taxonomy and naming
Regelia cymbifolia was first formally described in 1905 by Ludwig Diels in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie and tentatively given the name Beaufortia ? cymbifolia.[4][5] In 1964, Charles Gardner recognised the specimen as Regelia cymbifolia in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.[6] The specific epithet (cymbifolia) is from the Latin cymba meaning "a boat" and -folius meaning "leaved".[2][7]
Distribution and habitat
Regelia cymbifolia occurs in a restricted area near the Stirling Range in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains and Jarrah Forest biogeographic regions.[2] It grows in sand on undulating plains.[8]
Conservation
Regelia cymbifolia is classified as "Priority Four" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[3] meaning that it is rare or near threatened.[9]
Use in horticulture
Regelia cymbifolia is not well known in cultivation but has been grown in Kings Park.[2]
References
- "Regelia cymbifolia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- "Regelia cymbifolia". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- "Regelia cymbifolia". FloraBase. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ""Beaufortia ? cymbifolia"". APNI. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- Diels, Friedrich Ludwig Emil; Pritzel, Ernst Georg (1905). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 35 (2): 431–432. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- "Regelia cymbifolia". APNI. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 176. ISBN 9780958034180.
- Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 400. ISBN 0646402439.
- "Conservation codes for Western Australian flora and fauna" (PDF). Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 26 August 2015.