Darwinia squarrosa

Darwinia squarrosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Darwinia
Species:	D. squarrosa
Binomial name
Darwinia squarrosa (Turcz.) Domin.[1]

Darwinia squarrosa (Pink Mountain Bell or Fringed Mountain Bell) is a shrub which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.^[2] It has an erect and straggly habit, growing to between 0.2 and 1 metre high.^[2] The fringed bracts around the flowers form a pendent "bell" which is usually red or pink^[3] These are primarily produced between August and November in the species native range.^[3][2]

It occurs on rocky slopes of the eastern peaks of the Stirling Range National Park.^[4][2]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described in 1852 by Ukrainian-Russian botanist Nicolai Stepanovitch Turczaninow who gave it the name Genetyllis squarrosa. The species was transferred to the genus Darwinia in 1923 by Czech botanist Karel Domin.^[1]

Cultivation

The species requires good drainage and protection from direct sun.^[3] It is difficult to propagate from seed, but cuttings strike readily.^[3] Grafting on stocks of Darwinia citriodora may be carried out in areas with unsuitable growing conditions.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Darwinia squarrosa". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?TAXON_NAME=Darwinia+squarrosa. Retrieved 2009-09-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Darwinia squarrosa". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5530. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Darwinia squarrosa". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). http://asgap.org.au/d-squ.html. Retrieved 2009-09-15. 
4. ^ "Approved Conservation Advice for Darwinia squarrosa (Fringed Mountain Bell)". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 2008. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/15694-conservation-advice.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-15.