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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.

Eremaea purpurea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Eremaea
Species:	E. purpurea
Binomial name
Eremaea purpurea C.A.Gardner[1]
Synonyms[1]
Melaleuca ostrina Craven & R.D.Edwards

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.[3] The specific epithet (purpurea) is from the Latin purpureus meaning "purple".[4]

Distribution and habitat

Eremaea purpurea occurs in the Darling district in the Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions.[5] It grows in sandy soils, often on roadsides and in damp depressions.[6]

Conservation

Eremaea purpurea is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[5]

References

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