Chamelaucium virgatum – Waxflower

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Chamelaucium virgatum – Waxflower

This is the sixth Chamelaucium spp. (waxflower) I have encountered in the Esperance district, where this species can be found in mallee heath on exposed gravel/laterite soils (sometimes with a shallow sand covering).  Distribution is largely inland, being recorded from Munglinup (100 km or 62 miles west of Esperance) to the Hyden region, then back down to the Ravensthorpe area.

In the Lake Tay region it mostly grows to a little over a metre (4’) in height, but can reach 6’ elsewhere.  The growth is upright and generally open, being emphasised by the near vertical foliage.  The flowers are commonly white, but include pink to deep red that increase in number as the flowering season progresses.  Some flowers are richly coloured from the start, but these can deepen more with age.

The terete (rounded in cross-section) leaves are around 2 cm (3/4”) in length and held stiffly upright, making them slightly prickly.  The flowers open to a little over 1 cm (1/2”) diameter to show the alternating staminodes and stamens, which combine to form a neat 10 pointed star.

One of the identification features is the small ring of hairs just below the stigma, however mature flowers need to be examined, as when flowers are fresh the hairs can adhere to the stigma .  The other important feature is the large persistent brown bracteoles that partly cover the outside of mature flowers (top right), which with most other species are soon deciduous.

The only other Chamelaucium this species could be confused with is the Esperance Wax, Chamelaucium axillare, but besides being more graceful, it does not have the large bracteoles surrounding the flowers, as theirs drop before the flowers open.  Flowering time is from August to January, although local weather conditions will influence the exact period.

The Chamelaucium genus is part of the large and highly diverse Myrtaceae family.

Chamelaucium pauciflorum subsp. pauciflorum – Waxflower

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Chamelaucium pauciflorum subsp. pauciflorum – Waxflower

The Chamelaucium genus is another highly ornamental group of shrubs from the Myrtaceae family, which are commonly called Waxflowers due to their long lasting waxy flowers. With many Chamelaucium plants the flowers are initially cream or white, but turn to pink and/or various shades of red as they age. However with this species, they tend to be only colourful when in bud, with the inner petal surface remaining cream or with only a coloured blush (at least until the end of October).

There are two recognised subspecies of Chamelaucium pauciflorum, although they are currently only in manuscript form and await publication. The other is subsp. thryptomenioides that occurs to the far northwest of Esperance and well outside the local area, whereas subsp. pauciflorum is found to the west and northwest (not as far as subsp. thryptomenioides), extending to the Albany region and north to the Southern Cross district. It is not recorded to the east of Esperance, although another similar looking species is to be found there.

Chamelaucium megalopetalum can be confused with Chamelaucium pauciflorum subsp. pauciflorum, which occurs in the same area, although I have never seen them growing together. The flowers of C. megalopetalum are noticeably larger and have much longer pedicels (see here); the ciliate margins of the calyx lobes are conversely very small, whereas with Chamelaucium pauciflorum subsp. pauciflorum the fine hairs are much more pronounced.

Chamelaucium pauciflorum subsp. pauciflorum grows to around 1.5 metres (5'), tending to be erect with few branches, which unless the area has been burnt within the past few years. are often restricted to 1-3 vertical branches that hold small scattered clusters of flowers. To the NW of Esperance this species is reasonably common in small-scattered colonies, preferring sandy loams often over gravel, but going on the WA Herbarium distribution map is obviously poorly collected.

The flowers are recorded in bloom from August to October, although locally September to November would be more common.

Chamelaucium megalopetalum - Large Waxflower

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Chamelaucium megalopetalum - Large Waxflower

Chamelaucium is a genus from the huge Myrtaceae family and contains the plants commonly known as Waxflowers, of which the popular Geraldton and Esperance Wax are two of the better-known species. Chamelaucium megalopetalum is not so well known, but is quite common between Israelite Bay (east of Esperance) to Bremer Bay (west of Esperance). It then gos north to Southern Cross (west of Coolgardie), so is also well adapted to inland conditions.

Chamelaucium megalopetalum is an upright shrub to around 1.5 metres (5’) and usually grows in colonies that are restricted to certain habitat type, which locally is often sandy hollows and flats, growing in a sandy loam over gravel. The Esperance Wax, Chamelaucium axillare is frequently found nearby, but in much deeper yellow sandy rises. This species can be confused with C. megalopetalum, as the both are similar sized shrubs, as are the flowers. However the foliage C. megalopetalum is very much smaller being less than a cm (3/8”) in length and the petals do not open wide like C. axillare, but adopt a more vertical position. (Chamelaucium axillare is detailed here and the link to it can be located in the lower right-hand column).

The flowers of both Chamelaucium megalopetalum and Chamelaucium axillare initially open white, but age to red, via pink and sometimes orange, although with C. megalopetalum this transition tends to be more direct from white to red. Flowering is recorded from May to December, but this is highly variable particularly with those growing inland where rainfall is less reliable. Locally August to December would be more usual.

Above I have lettered the photos in three groups, A B and C. Those labelled C are typical of Chamelaucium megalopetalum and conform to the description above. Those labelled A and B are either an inland form found to the NE of Esperance, or an undescribed species. One undescribed species for this region does exist and is called Chamelaucium sp. Mt Heywood, although no details are currently available, but may represent the A and B plants above.

Plants A were seen approximately 90 km (55 miles) NE of Esperance, which is several kilometres/miles to the north of Mt Heywood growing in a deep fine sand/clay loam. Plants B were encountered around 45 km (28 miles) to the WSW of colony A, growing in a gravel soil over granite. These plants notably differ from Plants C by the flowers being smaller, as are the leaves, so too are the flower stalks (pedicels). The sepals are strongly ciliate with plants A and B, but smooth edged with plant C. The floral bracteoles are deciduous with plants C, but retained on A and B plants.

Esperance Wax - Chamelaucium axillare

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Esperance Wax - Chamelaucium axillare

A common shrub around Esperance usually growing in deep sandy soil, or over gravel and is found a little inland, preferring non-calcareous sands in shrubby heathland environments. It can also be encountered in mallee districts, but again in sandy habitats with a predominantly heath type vegetation. Initially the flowers are white, but age to pink and then to red, and with a procession of developing flowers, the Esperance Wax remains multicoloured for some time.

Although occurring throughout the Esperance region, they tend to be more common to the northeast of the town and can often be seen growing along roadsides. The open shrub grows to nearly 2 metres (6') in height, but is usually shorter and when not in flower blends into neighbouring more leafy vegetation to be imperceptible.

The flowers are mostly a little less than 2 cm (5/8") diameter and bloom over several months from May to December, although late July to November would be more usual locally.

Stirling Wax - Chamelaucium ciliatum

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Stirling Wax - Chamelaucium ciliatum

Although called the Stirling Wax, Chamelaucium ciliatum is a very common small shrub between Israelite Bay 175 km (110 miles) east of Esperance, to Albany 400 km (250 miles) to the west of Esperance and is particularly common around inland mallee districts. Here it grows on a variety of soils, with a preference for slightly heavier ones, although it can also be found growing in low-lying sandy areas.

Such a widespread species like the Stirling Wax can be quite variable, with some of the more spectacular forms being introduced to home gardens. Shrubs are usually around a metre (3') in height and will happily grow in full sun or semi-shade. The foliage (aromatic when crushed) and flower size can also differ, with leaves commonly around 5 mm (3/16") and flowers around 10 mm (3/8"), although both are often smaller. Nevertheless, large flower numbers and an extended flowering period more than make up for any lack of individual blossom size.

Initially flowers are white, waxy and long lasting, with any floral pink flushes gradually darkening to deeper shades and providing there is regular rainfall, the Stirling Wax will progressively produce new flowers and bloom for most of the year.

Update Aug 2012

Two photos added of a colourful form encountered NW of Esperance.