Homoranthus wilhelmii

Homoranthus wilhelmii, commonly known as the eastern feather flower,[2] is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to South Australia. It is a small, spreading shrub with cylindrical to flattened leaves and white or pink flowers arranged in corymbs on the ends of branchlets. The distribution includes an area on the Yorke Peninsula, but it is most common on the southern Eyre Peninsula.

Eastern feather-flower
Homoranthus wilhelmii in the Australian National Botanic Gardens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Homoranthus
Species:
H. wilhelmii
Binomial name
Homoranthus wilhelmii
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]
  • Verticordia wilhelmii F.Muell.
  • Rylstonea wilhelmii (F.Muell.) R.T.Baker

Description

Homoranthus wilhelmii is a spreading shrub that grows to 0.3–1.5 m (1–5 ft) high and 0.3–0.9 m (1–3 ft) wide. The leaves are grey-green, scented, linear in shape and round to triangular in cross-section. They are 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and terminate in a short, sharp point. The flowers are pink or white. slightly fragrant and arranged in a dense corymb at the ends of branches. The floral cup is cylindrical in shape, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long with five ribs on its sides and between three and six hairs on each of the five sepal lobes. The petals are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long and the five stamens are very short, alternating with tiny staminodes. The style is about 7 mm (0.3 in) long and has a beard near its tip. Flowering mainly occurs from September to March but may flower and fruit sporadically throughout the year.[2][3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

The eastern feather-flower was first formally described by Ferdinand von Mueller, who gave it the name Verticordia wilhelmii, adding that it is an "exceedingly pretty little bush". The description was published in his book Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants.[6][7] In 1922, Edwin Cheel changed the name to Homoranthus wilhelmii.[8] The specific epithet (wilhelmii) commemorates Carl Wilhelmi, a collector of seeds and specimens of the region, who obtained the type specimen at Port Lincoln in November 1854.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Homoranthus wilhelmii grows in mallee shrubland between Minlaton on the Yorke Peninsula and Streaky Bay to the west of the Eyre Peninsula.Grows mostly on sandy soils in heath and woodland communities.[9]

Use in cultivation

The species is not well known to horticulture, although trials in its cultivation have been successful in a number of regions of Australia. H. wilhelmii has been propagated, by enthusiasts of native flora, from seed and cuttings for private gardens. The plant grows in partly shaded or sunny positions, in sandy soil or well-drained loam, and has a long flowering period. Freshly cut flowering stems have a potential application in floristry.[2]

Conservation status

Widespread, often locally common and well reserved.[9]

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References
  1. "Homoranthus wilhelmii". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. Elizabeth A. (Berndt) George; Margaret Pieroni (illustrator) (2002). Verticordia: the turner of hearts (1st ed.). Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. pp. 404–405. ISBN 1-876268-46-8.
  3. Byrnes, Norman B. (1981). "Notes of the genus Homoranthus (Myrtaceae) in Australia". Austrobaileya. 4 (1): 375.
  4. "Verticordia wilhelmii". Government of South Australia; eflora SA. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  5. Copeland, Lachlan M.; Craven, Lyn A.; Bruhl, Jeremy J. (2011). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus (Myrtaceae:Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 24 (6): 373–374. doi:10.1071/SB11015.
  6. "Verticordia wilhelmii". APNI. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  7. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1855). Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants. Melbourne: Goodhugh & Trembath. p. 43. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  8. "Homoranthus wilhelmii". APNI. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  9. Copeland, Lachlan M.; Craven, Lyn A.; Bruhl, Jeremy J. (2011). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 24 (6): 351. doi:10.1071/SB11015.
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