Cryptandra arbutiflora

Cryptandra arbutiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rhamnaceae
Genus:	Cryptandra
Species:	C. arbutiflora
Binomial name
Cryptandra arbutiflora Fenzl

Cryptandra arbutiflora (Waxy Cryptandra) is a shrub species in the Buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, occurring between the south coast and the Dandaragan area to the north and also near Geraldton.^[1][2] It ranges from 0.05 to 1 metre in height and produces cream bell-shaped flowers between May and November.^[2] The species was first formally described by botanist Eduard Fenzl based on plant material collected by Charles von Hügel from the Swan River area.^[3] 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^[3] The Latin specific epithet arbutiflora alludes to the flowers which are reminiscent of those of Arbutus unedo, the Irish Strawberry Tree.^[1]

Four subspecies are currently recognised:

• C. arbutiflora Fenzl var. arbutiflora
• C. arbutiflora var. borealis Rye
• C. arbutiflora var. pygmaea Rye
• C. arbutiflora var. tubulosa (Fenzl) Benth.

A former subspecies C. arbutiflora var. intermedia is now regarded as a species in its own right - Cryptandra intermedia. ^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Gardner, C.A. (1981). Wildflowers of Western Australia. Perth: St George Books. p. 71. ISBN 086778007X. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Cryptandra arbutiflora". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4792. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Cryptandra arbutiflora". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?TAXON_NAME=Cryptandra+arbutiflora. Retrieved 2010-04-28.