Eremaea purpurea

Eremaea purpurea is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with erect branches, small leaves and purple flowers in pairs on the ends of the branches. The fruits are woody, cup-shaped capsules which release their seeds when dry.

Description

Eremaea purpurea is a shrub growing to a height of about 1.0 metre (3 ft). The branches point upwards and the young stems are densely covered with hair. The leaves are narrow egg-shaped, tapering to a point and are 2–4.5 millimetres (0.08–0.2 in) long, 2–2.5 millimetres (0.08–0.1 in) wide and sometimes have a single vein visible on the lower surface. There are a few long, soft hairs on the upper surface and edges of the leaves.^[2]

The flowers are pink to deep pink and are borne usually in pairs on the ends of the branches. They have 5 sepals which are often hairy on the outside surface and 5 petals, 4.2–4.5 millimetres (0.17–0.18 in) long. The stamens, which give the flower its colour are arranged in 5 bundles, each containing 14 to 33 stamens. Flowering occurs from December to January and is followed by fruits which are woody capsules which are 5.4–6.5 millimetres (0.2–0.3 in) long.^[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Eremaea purpurea was first formally described in 1964 by Charles Gardner in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.^[1] The specific epithet (purpurea) is from the Latin purpureus meaning "purple".^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Eremaea purpurea occurs in the Darling district in the Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions.^[4] It grows in sandy soils, often on roadsides and in damp depressions.^[5]

Conservation

Eremaea purpurea is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian government department of parks and wildlife.^[4]

References