Crowea exalata

Crowea exalata, commonly known as small crowea or waxflower is a flowering plant in the family Rutaceae and is endemic to the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It is an attractive small shrub and is a popular garden plant. It flowers mainly from late summer to mid-winter when few others are flowering but usually has some flowers at other times of the year.

Crowea exalata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Sapindales
Family:
Rutaceae
Genus:
Crowea
Species:
C. exalata
Binomial name
Crowea exalata

Description

Crowea exalata is a small shrub, growing to a height of about 1 metre (3 ft) with thin branches, often spreading to more than 1 metre (3 ft). Its leaves are narrow oblong to narrow egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and are 15–50 millimetres (0.6–2 in) long and 1–6 millimetres (0.04–0.2 in) wide. They have many oil glands and have a characteristic scent when crushed.[1][2][3][4]

The star-like flowers appear on the ends of the branches or in the axils of the leaves on a stalk 2–4 millimetres (0.08–0.2 in) long. The five petals are egg-shaped, about 10 millimetres (0.4 in) and usually pink, sometimes white and a range of colours in the cultivars. The stamens in the centre of the flower almost overlap. Flowering occurs mainly from mid-summer to late winter but flowers can be present most of the year. The fruits that follow are dry and have 5 compartments which open to release 2 seeds each.[1][2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Crowea exalata was first formally described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1854. The description was published in Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria.[5] The specific epithet (exalata) is derived from the Latin ex- meaning "out of"[6]:310 and alata meaning "winged",[6]:858 hence "wingless".[4]

Four subspecies are recognised:[7]

  • C. exalata F.Muell. subsp. exalata
  • C. exalata subsp. magnifolia Gebert
  • C. exalata subsp. obcordata Gebert
  • C. exalata subsp. revoluta Paul G.Wilson

Cultivars include:[7]

  • 'Bindalong Compact'
  • 'Ginninderra Falls'
  • 'Green Cape'
  • 'Pink Blush'
  • 'Ryans Star'
  • 'Southern Stars'
  • 'Star of Heaven'
  • 'Whipstick'
  • 'White Star'

Distribution and habitat

Small crowea occurs in New South Wales, Victoria and south east Queensland. It is found on the east coast, ranges and the slopes on the western side of the ranges.[2][8] It grows in dry sclerophyll forest in sandy soil.[2]

Use in horticulture

Crowea exalata is widely cultivated and is usually available in Australian native plant nurseries. It grows best in light soil, partly shaded from the sun and is an ideal rockery plant.[4] It is a hardy plant, especially when supplied with well-mulched soil and adequate water. Propagation is easier from cuttings because seeds must be nicked and held under running water for several weeks before sowing.[9]

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References
  1. Carolin, Roger; Tindale, Mary (1994). Flora of the Sydney region (4th ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Reed. p. 438. ISBN 0730104001.
  2. Porteners, M.F.; Weston, P.H. "Crowea exalata". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Plantnet. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  3. McCarthy, Norm. "Crowea exalata". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  4. "Crowea exalata". Australian National Botanic Garden. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  5. "Crowea exalata". APNI. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  7. "Crowea exalata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
  8. Gebert, Wayne A.; Duretto, Marco F. (2008). "Geographic variation in Crowea exalata (Rutaceae) and the recognition of two new subspecies". Telopea. 12 (2): 193.
  9. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 203. ISBN 0002165759.
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