Cryptandra arbutiflora

Cryptandra arbutiflora is a shrub that typically grows to a height of {{cvt|0.5–1|m}} and has spiny branchlets. Its leaves are linear to oblong with the edges turned down, more or less glabrous, {{cvt|2.5–9|mm}} long and {{cvt|0.8–2.5|mm}} wide on a petiole {{cvt|0.5–1|mm}} long.

The sepals are {{cvt|1.2–1.5|mm}} long, the petals white and tube-shaped, the tube part {{cvt|2.2–5|mm}} long with the style usually reaching to near the end of the tube. Flowering occurs from May to November and the fruit is {{cvt|2.5–2.8|mm}} long.{{cite book |last1=Reissek |first1=Siegfried |editor-last1=Lehmann |editor-first1=Johann G.C. |title=Plantae Preissianae |date=1848 |publisher=Sumptibus Meissneeri |location=Hamburg |page=290 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9228#page/291/mode/1up |access-date=12 October 2022}}{{cite journal |last1=Rye |first1=Barbara L. |title=New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. |journal=Nuytsia |date=1995 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=259–264 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/225398#page/123/mode/1up |access-date=12 October 2022}}{{cite journal |last1=Rye |first1=Barbara L. |title=New species and keys for Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) in Western Australia. |journal=Nuytsia |date=2007 |volume=162 |pages=337–341 |url=https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/science/nuytsia/462.pdf |access-date=12 October 2022}}

This species was first formally described by botanist Eduard Fenzl based on plant material collected by Charles von Hügel from the Swan River area. Fenzl's description was published in 1837 in Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel.{{cite web|title=Cryptandra arbutiflora |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/boa/instance/apni/507278|publisher=APNI|accessdate=12 October 2022}}{{cite book |last1=Fenzl |first1=Edouard |editor-last1=Endlicher |editor-first1=Stefan F.L. |editor-last2=Fenzl |editor-first2=Eduard |editor-last3=Bentham |editor-first3=George |editor-last4=Schott |editor-first4=Heinrich W. |title=Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hüge |date=1837 |pages=26–27 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=chi.64405481&view=1up&seq=36&skin=2021 |access-date=12 October 2022}} The Latin specific epithet arbutiflora alludes to the flowers which are reminiscent of those of Arbutus unedo, the strawberry tree.

Four varieties are currently accepted by the Australian Plant Census:

• Cryptandra arbutiflora Fenzl var. arbutiflora{{cite web |title=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. arbutiflora |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/87269|website=Australian Plant Census |access-date=11 October 2020}} is a shrub {{cvt|0.1–1|mm}} high with straight stem hairs, a floral tube {{cvt|1.2–4.5|mm}} long, an ovary that is largely superior in fruit within a broad floral tube, and glabrous fruit.{{FloraBase|name=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. arbutiflora|id=13470}}
• Cryptandra arbutiflora var. borealis Rye{{cite web |title=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. borealis |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/161334|website=Australian Plant Census |access-date=11 October 2020}} has curved stem hairs and scattered large star-shaped hairs on the fruit.{{FloraBase|name=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. borealis|id=16018}}
• Cryptandra arbutiflora var. pygmaea Rye{{cite web |title=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. pygmaea |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/170392|website=Australian Plant Census |access-date=11 October 2020}} is a dwarf shrub {{cvt|0.05–0.25|mm}} high with straight stem hairs and a floral tube about {{cvt|1|mm}} long.{{FloraBase|name=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. pygmaea|id=14791}}
• Cryptandra arbutiflora var. tubulosa (Fenzl) Benth.{{cite web |title=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. tubulosa |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/87272|website=Australian Plant Census |access-date=11 October 2020}} is a shrub {{cvt|0.1–1|mm}} high with straight stem hairs, a floral tube {{cvt|1.2–4.5|mm}} long, an ovary that is half inferior in fruit within a narrow floral tube, and glabrous fruit.{{FloraBase|name=Cryptandra arbutiflora var. tubulosa|id=13484}}

A former variety C. arbutiflora var. intermedia is now regarded as a species in its own right - Cryptandra intermedia.{{cite web|title=Cryptandra intermedia |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/boa/instance/apni/620677|publisher=APNI|accessdate=12 October 2022}}

Cryptandra arbutiflora occurs between the south coast and the Dandaragan area to the north and also near Geraldton.{{cite book|author=Gardner, C.A.| title=Wildflowers of Western Australia|page=71 |publisher=St George Books|location=Perth | year=1981 | isbn=086778007X}}{{FloraBase|name=Cryptandra arbutiflora |id=4792 }} It grows in a variety of soils on granite outcrops, breakaways and creek banks.

The variety arbutiflora is found in the Gillingarra to Mount Barker and Jerramungup areas, var. borealis from Kalbarri to the Chapman River, var. pygmaea near Lake Muir, and var. tubulosa from Perth to the Kent River.

Three varieties of C. arbutiflora are listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions but var. pygmaea is classified as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.{{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=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=12 October 2022}}

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arbutiflora

Category:Rosales of Australia

Category:Rosids of Western Australia

Category:Taxa named by Eduard Fenzl

Category:Plants described in 1837