Plants of
South Australia
Calytrix alpestris
Myrtaceae
Snow Myrtle,
Snow Heath-myrtle
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 8

Prior names

Lhotzkya genetylloides var. bracteosa

Lhotzkya genetylloides

Lhotzkya alpestris var. bracteosa

Lhotzkya alpestris

Genetyllis alpestris

Common names

Snow Myrtle

Snow Heath-myrtle

Etymology

Calytrix from the Greek 'kalyx' meaning calyx and 'thrix' meaning hair, referring to the awns on the sepals. Alpestris from Latin meaning of high mountain but the reason for this name is unclear.

Distribution and status

Found in the South-east in South Australia, growing in heath or heathy woodland on sandy soils. Also found in Victoria. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in Victoria.
Herbarium regions: Murray, South Eastern
NRM regions: South Australian Murray-Darling Basin, South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Erect spreading shrub to 2.5 m high with hairy branches, often arching. Leaves linear to narrowly ovate or narrowly lanceolate,to 5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide; thick, crowded, mostly perpendicular to branches, usually with scattered, stiff hairs. Inflorescence in clusters in upper leaf axis, with white sometimes pink flowers. Flowering between September and January. Fruits are brown fruit with persistent calyx and no awn. Seed embryo type is spatulate fully developed.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between December and March. Collect heads by hand when they are brown and slightly fat at the base. This should contain small hard seed. No cleaning is required if only the fruits were collected. If collected with other material, use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.