Kunzea
Encyclopedia
Kunzea is a genus of 36-40 species of shrub
in the myrtle family Myrtaceae
. They are native to Australia
, with one species extending to New Zealand
. They are found throughout the Australian continent with most species occurring in southwestern Western Australia
. In appearance they resemble the closely related Callistemon genus, but differ in the arrangement of the stamen
s.
The genus was named after German naturalist Gustav Kunze
, professor of botany in Leipzig
.
Several species of Kunzea are weeds in the fynbos
regions of southern South Africa
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...
in the myrtle family Myrtaceae
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...
. They are native to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, with one species extending to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. They are found throughout the Australian continent with most species occurring in southwestern Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. In appearance they resemble the closely related Callistemon genus, but differ in the arrangement of the stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s.
The genus was named after German naturalist Gustav Kunze
Gustav Kunze
Gustav Kunze Gustav Kunze Gustav Kunze (4 October 1793, Leipzig -30 April 1851, Leipzigwas a German professor of zoology, an entomologist and botanist with an interest mainly in ferns and orchids....
, professor of botany in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
.
Several species of Kunzea are weeds in the fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
regions of southern South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
Species
Species include:- Kunzea acicularis Toelken & G.F.Craig
- Kunzea acuminata Toelken
- Kunzea affinis S.Moore
- Kunzea ambiguaKunzea ambiguaKunzea ambigua, commonly known as the White Kunzea, Poverty Bush or Tick Bush, is a common shrub of the myrtaceae family found on sandstone soils in eastern Australia. Growing up to high and wide, it bears small white flowers in spring. Used in native gardening, it attracts native insects...
(Sm.) Druce - Kunzea baxteriKunzea baxteriKunzea baxteri is a shrub in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, where it occurs on granite outcrops and hills....
(Klotzsch) Schauer - Kunzea bracteolata Maiden & Betche
- Kunzea calida F.Muell.
- Kunzea cambagei Maiden & Betche
- Kunzea capitataKunzea capitataKunzea capitata is a shrub species in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to New South Wales in Australia.-Description:The species has a spreading or erect habit and may grow up to 2 metres in height, but is usually within the range of 0.5 to 1 metre. Flowers are pink to purple, or occasionally...
(Sm.) Heynh. - Kunzea ericifoliaKunzea ericifoliaKunzea ericifolia, known as Spearwood or Pondil, is an erect woody evergreen shrub that is endemic to Western Australia.- Description :...
(Sm.) Rchb. ex Heynh. - Kunzea ericoides (A.Rich.) Joy Thomps.
- Kunzea eriocalyx F.Muell.
- Kunzea flavescens C.T.White & W.D.Francis
- Kunzea glabrescensKunzea glabrescensKunzea glabrescens is a species of Western Australian shrub known by the common name spearwood. It grows 1.5 to 4 metres high in sandy soil and bears yellow flowers in October and November.-External links:**...
Toelken – Spearwood - Kunzea graniticola Byrnes
- Kunzea jucundaKunzea jucundaKunzea jucunda is a shrub in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, where it occurs on sandy or rocky soils of undulating plains....
Diels & E.Pritz. - Kunzea micrantha Schauer
- Kunzea micromera Schauer
- Kunzea montana (Diels) Domin – Mountain Kunzea
- Kunzea muelleri Benth.
- Kunzea newbyi Benth.
- Kunzea obovata Byrnes
- Kunzea opposita F.Muell.
- Kunzea parvifoliaKunzea parvifoliaKunzea parvifolia, commonly known as Violet Kunzea, is a shrub species in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to eastern Australia....
Schauer - Kunzea pauciflora Schauer
- Kunzea pomifera F.Muell.
- Kunzea preissiana Schauer
- Kunzea pulchellaKunzea pulchellaKunzea pulcella is a shrub in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, where it occurs on granite outcrops and slopes....
(Lindl.) A.S.George – Granite Kunzea - Kunzea recurva Schauer
- Kunzea rupestris Blakely
- Kunzea spicata S.Moore
- Kunzea strigosa Toelken
- Kunzea villiceps Schauer
- Kunzea sp. WadbilligaKunzea sp. WadbilligaKunzea sp. "Wadbilliga" is an informally recognized low-growing shrub of the Myrtaceae family found in the southeastern tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.The habitat is over 1000 metres above sea level, usually in heathland...