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Regelia megacephala is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a taller shrub than others in its genus, with small, rounded leaves and clusters of purplish-red flowers from October to December.

Regelia megacephala
R. megacephala inflorescence in Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
Conservation status

Priority Four — Rare Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Regelia
Species:
R. megacephala
Binomial name
Regelia megacephala
C.A.Gardner[1]
Synonyms

Melaleuca gardneri Craven & R.D.Edwards


Description


Regelia megacephala is an erect, straggly shrub which grows to a height of 2–5 m (7–20 ft). Its leaves are small and are arranged in alternating pairs (decussate) so that they make four rows along its long stems.[2]

The flowers are mauve and arranged in dense heads 15 mm (0.6 in) across on the ends of long stems which continue to grow after flowering. There are 5 sepals, 5 petals and 5 bundles of stamens. Flowering occurs from September to December and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules.[2]


Taxonomy and naming


Regelia megacephala was first formally described in 1964 by the Australian botanist, Charles Gardner in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.[1] The specific epithet (megacephala) means "large-headed".[3]


Distribution and habitat


Regelia megacephala grows in red sand on rocky quartzite hills in the Avon Wheatbelt and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions.[2][4] It is closely associated with Coomberdale chert which is mined for the production of silicon and is threatened by mining activity.[5][6]


Conservation


Regelia megacephala is classified as "Priority Four" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[4] meaning that is rare or near threatened.[7]


Use in horticulture


Regelia megacephala is not often seen in cultivation but is frost hardy, will grow in full or partial sun and is suitable for narrow gardens.[2][8] Its commercial potential for export as a Christmas flower has been assessed.[9]


References


  1. "Regelia megacephala". APNI. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  2. "The genus Regelia". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  3. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 250. ISBN 9780958034180.
  4. "Regelia megacephala". FloraBase. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  5. "Extension of Quartz Mining and Strategy for Resource Access and Biodiversity Conservation" (PDF). Environmental Protection Authority Perth, Western Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  6. "Simcoa Operations:FAQ". Simcoa Operations Pty Ltd. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  7. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  8. Raleigh, Royce. "Newsletter: February-April 2015" (PDF). Wimmera Growers of Australian Plants Inc. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  9. Seaton, Kevin (2013). Development of intergeneric rootstocks for christmas flowering verticordia a new christmas flower. Barton, A.C.T.: RIRDC. pp. 1–21. ISBN 978-1-74254-452-6.


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