Kunzea ericifolia

taxobox
name = Spearwood


regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Kunzea"
species = "K. ericifolia"
binomial = "Kunzea ericifolia"
binomial_authority = (Heynh.)|

"Kunzea ericifolia" (Spearwood) is an erect woody evergreen shrub that is endemic to Western Australia.

Habit

"K. ericifolia" is a woody erect shrub, often multi-stemmed [cite web|url=http://www.fiveacrenursery.com.au/detailtrees.htm|title=Five Acre Nursery - Kunzea ericifolia|year=2002|accessdate=2007-10-11] ., that can grow to a height of convert|5|m|ft|0 [cite web|url=http://asgap.org.au/k-eri.html|title=Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants ASGAP - Kunzea ericifolia|year=2007|accessdate=2007-11-05] but is typically about convert|2|m|ft|0 tall. The shrub has a crown of soft pale green foliage. The leaf are simple in structure with linear form growing to a length of about convert|10|mm|in|0 with a width of convert|1|mm|in|0.Flowering occurs in spring (July to December) and produces small round flower approximately convert|10|mm|in|0 in diameter. The globular blossom is perfumed and yellow, cream or white in color and occurs in clusters and the ends of branches [cite web|url=http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5832|title=Florabase - Kunzea ericifolia|year=1999|accessdate=2007-10-11] . Flowers are followed by small single celled fruits that contain many small seed that are dispersed once the fruit is ripe. Flowering fruiting occur annual.The bark is fibrous, rough and grey in colour, often peeling in layers from the stem.

Distribution

"Kunzea ericifolia" is found in the Southwest Australia region. Populations of this species are found as far north as Gingin and as far east as Bremer Bay. The largest populations occur around Albany.Many communities are found along the coast-line [cite web|url=http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5832|title=Florabase - Kunzea ericifolia|year=1999|accessdate=2007-10-11] .

Ecology

"Kunzea ericifolia" grows in sandy well drained soil. Found to grow in peaty soils, quartzite and grey sand. Grows well in moist conditions and along the margins of watercourses, lakes and seasonally wet swamps. Can also be found growing amongst rocks in more open and elevated positions. Requires good drainage and a sunny or slightly shaded position. It is ideally suited to mediterranean conditions, can withstand a moderate frost and will grow in more humid conditions.

Cultivation

The plant has been cultivated for many years as an ornamental plant. It is easily propagated by seed or by cutting.

Uses

Studies have found that "Kunzea ericifolia" contains a powerful natural insecticide (called ericfolione) that has been extracted from the plant using hexane [cite web|url=http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jnprdf/1999/62/i10/abs/np9900573.html|title=A New Insecticidal Pyranocyclohexenedione from Kunzea ericifolia|year=1999|accessdate=2007-10-11] .

References