Thryptomene ericaea

Thryptomene ericaea is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.5–1.2 m (1 ft 8 in – 3 ft 11 in). Its leaves are narrow elliptic with a pointed tip, about 6 mm (0.24 in) long, 1 mm (0.039 in) wide and sessile. Each flower is on a peduncle 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long and has a ribbed, more or less cylindrical floral cup. The flowers have five white, egg-shaped sepals and petals, all about 1 mm (0.039 in) long and there are five stamens opposite the sepals. Flowering occurs from September to December.[2]

Thryptomene ericaea was first formally described in 1858 by Ferdinand von Mueller in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected by "Bannier" on Kangaroo Island.[3][4] The specific epithet (ericaea) refers to a resemblance of this species to plants in the genus Erica.[5]

This thryptomene occurs in South Australia, on Kangaroo Island and to a lesser extent on the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas.[2]

A cultivar of T. ericaea known as 'Centenary Starburst' was chosen as South Australia's floral emblem for the Centenary of Federation (1901–2001).[6] This cultivar has commercial potential for the cut flower industry but the species is difficult to propagate. Research on inducing root formation in tissue culture has been conducted.[7]