Regelia megacephala
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| Regelia megacephala | |
|---|---|
 | |
| R. megacephala inflorescence in Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Regelia |
| Species: | R. megacephala |
| Binomial name | |
| Regelia megacephala | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Melaleuca gardneri Craven & R.D.Edwards | |
Regelia megacephala is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a taller shrub than others in its genus, with small, rounded leaves and clusters of purplish-red flowers from October to December.
Regelia megacephala is an erect, straggly shrub which grows to a height of 2–5 m (7–20 ft). Its leaves are small and are arranged in alternating pairs (decussate) so that they make four rows along its long stems.[2]
The flowers are mauve and arranged in dense heads 15 mm (0.6 in) across on the ends of long stems which continue to grow after flowering. There are 5 sepals, 5 petals and 5 bundles of stamens. Flowering occurs from September to December and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules.[2]
Taxonomy and naming
Regelia megacephala was first formally described in 1964 by the Australian botanist, Charles Gardner in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.[1] The specific epithet (megacephala) means "large-headed".[3]
Distribution and habitat
Regelia megacephala grows in red sand on rocky quartzite hills in the Avon Wheatbelt and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions.[2][4] It is closely associated with Coomberdale chert which is mined for the production of silicon and is threatened by mining activity.[5][6]