Calamphoreus
{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Calamphoreus inflatus.jpg
| image_caption = C. inflatus in the Australian National Botanic Gardens
| status_system = DECF
| status = P4
| display_parents = 2
| genus = Calamphoreus
| parent_authority = Chinnock
| species = inflatus
| authority = (C.Gardner) Chinnock{{cite web |title=Calamphoreus inflatus |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/134973 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=14 November 2022}}
| synonyms =
- Calamphoreus inflatus Paczk. & A.R.Chapm. nom. inval.
- Eremophila inflata C.A.Gardner
}}
Calamphoreus inflatus is the only species of the flowering plant genus Calamphoreus in the family Scrophulariaceae. It is a shrub, formerly known as Eremophila inflata but unlike eremophilas, this species has twisted stamens and an urn-shaped petal tube which remains attached to the fruits after flowering.
Description
Calamphoreus inflatus is a shrub sometimes growing to a height of {{convert|1.5|m|ft|sigfig=1}} and spreading to {{convert|2|m|ft|sigfig=1}} wide with branches that are slightly sticky when young. The leaves are arranged alternately, mostly {{convert|15-35|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long, {{convert|2-6|mm|in|sigfig=1}} wide, thick, sticky and elliptic or narrow lance-shaped.{{cite book|last1=Chinnock|first1=R.J. (Bob)|title=Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae|date=2007|publisher=Rosenberg|location=Dural, NSW|isbn=9781877058165|pages=169–171|edition=1st}}{{cite web|title=Calamphoreus inflatus|url=http://anpsa.org.au/c-inf.html|publisher=Australian Native Plants Society Australia|accessdate=4 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208114908/http://anpsa.org.au/c-inf.html|url-status=dead}}
The flowers are arranged singly or in groups of up to 5 in the axils of leaves on a stalk {{convert|4.5-7|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long. There are 5 oblong sepals which are hairy, and after flowering develop a network of distinct veins. There are also 5 petals joined at their bases, forming an expanded bell-shaped tube. The petal tube is purple except inside the tube where it is white, spotted with purple. The tube is {{convert|7.5-10.5|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long with lobes that are rounded and of unequal lengths. There are 4 short stamens with twisted or curved filaments. Flowering occurs mainly in summer and is followed by densely hairy, oval-shaped fruits about {{convert|3|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long with the dried petal tube remaining on the outside.
Taxonomy and naming
Calamphoreus inflatus was first formally described in 1942 by Charles Gardner in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia as Eremophila inflata from a specimen collected in the Coolgardie district near Mount Holland and Lake Cronin.{{APNI | name = Calamphoreus inflatus (C.A.Gardner) Chinnock | id = 134973}} The genus name (Calamphoreus) is from the Ancient Greek words kalos meaning "beautiful"{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.}}{{rp|180}} and amphoreus meaning "two-handled vase", "pitcher", "jar", "jug" or "cinerary urn"{{rp|627}} referring to the shape of the flowers. The specific epithet (inflatus) is a Latin word meaning "puffed up" or "swollen".{{rp|438}}
Distribution and habitat
Calamphoreus inflatus occurs from Lake King to Mount Holland and in nearby areas in the Coolgardie and Mallee biogeographic regions.{{FloraBase|name=Calamphoreus inflatus (C.A.Gardner) Chinnock |id = 15050}} It has also been recorded east of Hyden.{{Cite FTP |title=Clearing Permit Decision Report|url=ftp://ftp.dwer.wa.gov.au/permit/6570/6570%20Decision%20Report.pdf|server=Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines and Petroleum|url-status=dead|accessdate=4 December 2015}} It grows in gravelly loam on flats and disturbed sites.{{cite book|last1=Paczkowska|first1=Grazyna|last2=Chapman|first2=Alex R.|title=The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue|date=2000|publisher=Wildflower Society of Western Australia|location=Perth|isbn=0646402439|page=332}}
Conservation
Calamphoreus inflatus is classified as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife meaning that it is rare or near threatened.{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian flora and fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=4 December 2015}}