A taxonomic Revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill., an Australian endemic genus of Myrtaceae, tribe Chamelaucieae, is presented. Lhotskya Schauer is reduced to a synonym of Calytrix. Seventy-two species are recognized of which the following 22 are described as new: C. amethystina, C. carinata, C. chrysantha, C. divergens, C. duplistipulata, C. eneabbensis, C. erosipetala, C. formosa, C. gurulmundensis, C. gypsophila, C. habrantha, C. islensis, C. microcoma, C. parvivallis, C. paucicostata, C. platycheiridia, C. praecipua, C. rupestris, C. similis, C. truncatifolia, C. verruculosa and C. warburtonensis. Two species comprise two subspecies each, of which one, C. simplex subsp. suboppositifolia, is also described as new. Other than autonyms the following new names result from the transfer of Calycothrix and Lhotskya species to Calytrix, and/ or changes in taxonomic rank: C, acuttfolia, C, breviseta subsp. stipulosa, C. brownii, C. drummondii, C. glaberrima, C. harvestiana, C. merrelliana, C. nematoclada, C. purpurea, C. smeatoniana and C. sylvana. Distinctive features of the morphology are discussed. A new term, cheiridium, is proposed for an apparently adaptive structure formed from the peduncle and persistent, connate bracteoles. Other biological aspects that are discussed briefly include floral biology, fruit and dispersal, and geography. An informal infrageneric classification, based largely upon floral features, is outlined. New taxa are illustrated. Distribution maps are provided for all taxa.