Homoranthus wilhelmii
Encyclopedia
Homoranthus wilhelmii is a small shrub in the myrtle family Myrtaceae
. The species is endemic to South Australia
. The distribution includes an area on the Yorke Peninsula
, but it is most common on the southern Eyre Peninsula
.
Homoranthus wilhelmii is one of 22 species of shrub
s in the genus Homoranthus
. The form may be dwarfed, around 300 mm tall, or an erect shrub up to 1.5 m tall; the branches, usually sparse, spread out between 300 and 900 mm. Unlike most members of Myrtaceae, the arrangement of leaves are opposite in this species. The leaves are grey-green, scented, between 4 and 7 mm long, 1 mm wide, semi-cylindrical or triangular in cross section, and terminate in a short and sharp point. Floral leaves differ from these, appearing as small bracts. The small flowers are in a dense and corymbose arrangement at the ends of the branches, these are pink and white and slightly fragrant. The calyx has a cylindrical hypanthium which is divided into three to six hair-like forms on each of the upper lobes.
The specific epithet commemorates Carl Wilhelmi, a collector of seeds and specimens of the region, who obtained the type collection at Port Lincoln in November of 1854. The first description, published by Ferdinand von Mueller
in 1855, was as a species of Verticordia
, this gave rise to the common name of Eastern Feather-flower. No current species of verticordia occurs in the region. The shrub was later transferred to its current arrangement by the mycologist Edwin Cheel
.
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
.
Myrtaceae
The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of dicotyledon plants, placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, clove, guava, feijoa, allspice, and eucalyptus belong here. All species are woody, with essential oils, and flower parts in multiples of four or five...
. The species is endemic to South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. The distribution includes an area on the Yorke Peninsula
Yorke Peninsula
The Yorke Peninsula is a peninsula located north-west and west of Adelaide in South Australia, Australia, between Spencer Gulf on the west and Gulf St Vincent on the east. It has geographic coordinates of...
, but it is most common on the southern Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded on the east by Spencer Gulf, the west by the Great Australian Bight, and the north by the Gawler Ranges. It is named after explorer Edward John Eyre who explored some of it in 1839-1841. The coastline was first explored by...
.
Homoranthus wilhelmii is one of 22 species of shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s in the genus Homoranthus
Homoranthus
Homoranthus is a genus of 22 species of shrub in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. They are endemic to Australia. None of the species are common nor are they well-known to horticulture....
. The form may be dwarfed, around 300 mm tall, or an erect shrub up to 1.5 m tall; the branches, usually sparse, spread out between 300 and 900 mm. Unlike most members of Myrtaceae, the arrangement of leaves are opposite in this species. The leaves are grey-green, scented, between 4 and 7 mm long, 1 mm wide, semi-cylindrical or triangular in cross section, and terminate in a short and sharp point. Floral leaves differ from these, appearing as small bracts. The small flowers are in a dense and corymbose arrangement at the ends of the branches, these are pink and white and slightly fragrant. The calyx has a cylindrical hypanthium which is divided into three to six hair-like forms on each of the upper lobes.
The specific epithet commemorates Carl Wilhelmi, a collector of seeds and specimens of the region, who obtained the type collection at Port Lincoln in November of 1854. The first description, published by Ferdinand von Mueller
Ferdinand von Mueller
Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, KCMG was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist.-Early life:...
in 1855, was as a species of Verticordia
Verticordia
Verticordia, a genus of the Myrtaceae family, are woody shrubs with small and exquisite flowers. They are mostly found in Southwest Australia, with several outlier species in northern regions. A revision of the genus in 1991 produced a classification within Verticordia of 3 subgenera, 24 sections,...
, this gave rise to the common name of Eastern Feather-flower. No current species of verticordia occurs in the region. The shrub was later transferred to its current arrangement by the mycologist Edwin Cheel
Edwin Cheel
Edwin Cheel was an Australian botanist and collector.Before being appointed as a staff member of Centennial Park in 1897 he was a gardener in New South Wales and Queensland. Later he transferred to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. In 1908 he joined the National Herbarium, and was appointed Chief...
.
The species is not well known to horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
, 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
Floristry
Floristry is the general term used to describe production, commerce and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade...
.
External links
- Australian Plant Image Index Homoranthus wilhelmii