Regelia: Difference between revisions

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The genus was first formally described by [[Johannes Conrad Schauer|J.C.Schauer]] in 1843 who gave it the name ''Regelia'' in honour of German gardener and botanist [[Eduard August von Regel]].
The genus was first formally described by [[Johannes Conrad Schauer|J.C.Schauer]] in 1843 who gave it the name ''Regelia'' in honour of German gardener and botanist [[Eduard August von Regel]].


''Regelia'' is closely related to ''[[Melaleuca]]'', both have stamens which are fused into clusters. The primary difference between the genera is that in ''Regelia'' the anthers are attached at the base and in ''Melaleuca'' they are attached at the side.<ref name=asgap>[http://asgap.org.au/r-cym.html Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP): ''Regelia cymbifolia'']</ref> These genera are also closely related to ''[[Beaufortia]]'', ''[[Calothamnus]]'' and ''[[Eremaea]]''.<ref name=asgap></ref>
''Regelia'' is closely related to ''[[Melaleuca]]'', both have stamens which are fused into clusters. The primary difference between the genera is that in ''Regelia'' the anthers are attached at the base and in ''Melaleuca'' they are attached at the side.<ref name=asgap>[http://asgap.org.au/r-cym.html Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP): ''Regelia cymbifolia'']</ref> These genera are also closely related to ''[[Beaufortia]]'', ''[[Calothamnus]]'' and ''[[Eremaea (plant)|Eremaea]]''.<ref name=asgap></ref>


==Species==
==Species==

Revision as of 17:41, 24 November 2008

Regelia
Regelia velutina in bloom.
Scientific classification
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Genus:
Regelia

Species

See text.

Regelia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae. This genus is composed of small leaved, evergreen shrubs and trees which are endemic to Australia. Five of the six species are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, the other species endemic to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory (R. punicea). Species range from 1-6 meters in height.[1] They are noted for bearing essential oils.[1] Typically showy blooms are aggregate inflorescences which take the form of heads or spikes depending upon the species. Fruits are a woody, 3-valved capsule which often split upon maturity.

Etomology and taxonomy

The genus was first formally described by J.C.Schauer in 1843 who gave it the name Regelia in honour of German gardener and botanist Eduard August von Regel.

Regelia is closely related to Melaleuca, both have stamens which are fused into clusters. The primary difference between the genera is that in Regelia the anthers are attached at the base and in Melaleuca they are attached at the side.[2] These genera are also closely related to Beaufortia, Calothamnus and Eremaea.[2]

Species

There are currently six recognized species of Regelia. All are endemic to small geographic regions in southwestern or north-central Australia.

  • Regelia ciliata Schauer is a rigid spreading shrub which grows 1.3 m to 1.5 m across, it has with tiny wedge shaped leaves, and paper-like bark on the stems.[3]
  • Regelia cymbifolia (Diels) C.A.Gardner is a much branched, upright shrub of about 2 meters in height, and bearing tiny wedge shaped leaves. It blooms in the spring, producing clusters of many small heads.
  • Regelia inops (Schauer) Schauer is an upright but often spreading shrub which can grow to 0.75–2.5 m and has tiny wedge shaped leaves.[4]
  • Regelia megacephala C.A.Gardner is a rare, 2-5 meter tall Shrub, which larger (but still small) rounded leaves.[5]
  • Regelia velutina (Turcz.) C.A.Gardner (Barrens regelia) is the showiest and largest member of the genus is a large shrub or small which can grow up to 6 meters. It is noted for growing on very poor dry soils and having large flower heads.[6]
  • Regelia punicea (N.Byrnes) Barlow is an unspecialized member found in the Northern Territory. This species was recently reassigned from genus Melaleuca.[7]

External links

  • Australian National Botanic Gardens: Regelia velutina (photo)
  • "Regelia Schauer". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.

References

  1. ^ a b Regelia Florabase: The Western Australian Flora (ID 21844)
  2. ^ a b Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP): Regelia cymbifolia
  3. ^ Regelia ciliata Australians National Botanic Gardens, Australian Governmant.
  4. ^ R. inops FloraBase: The Western Australian Flora.
  5. ^ R. megacephala FloraBase: The Western Australian Flora.
  6. ^ R. velutina FloraBase: The Western Australian Flora.
  7. ^ Regelia punicea (N.Byrnes) Barlow, comb.nov. (Myrtaceae) from the Northern Territory: Phytogeographic implications. Barlow, BA. in Brunonia 9(1) 89 - 97. Australian Systematic Botany.