Calytrix duplistipulata – Inland Pink Starflower

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Calytrix duplistipulata – Inland Pink Starflower

Calytrix is a genus in the large Myrtaceae family and are readily identifiable by the very long thin calyx lobes, which remain on the shrub for much longer than the petals and are quite ornamental in their own right. Calytrix duplistipulata is very similar to Calytrix decandra (see here), but has much shorter foliage and is found further inland on low sandy rises often near saltlakes, whereas C. decandra mainly occurs on the more elevated, non-calcareous, coastal or near coastal sandy soils (typically heath).

The Inland Pink Starflower can be encountered to the north of Esperance in the Mt Ridley region, then northwest to the Hyden district. Commonly growing to around a metre (3’) in height, they are usually seen in scattered, showy, compact colonies. These are often in natural clearings, after fire or where there has been soil disturbance. The bright pink flowers are around 2 cm (3/4”) diameter and can produce prolifically from March to November, but exact timing would be dependent on good rainfall and pleasantly warm conditions. August to October would be their more regular flowering period.

Calytrix leschenaultii - Myrtaceae

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Calytrix leschenaultii - Myrtaceae

The genus Calytrix belongs to the huge Myrtaceae family, but is easily separated from other genera by the long hair-like calyx awns that are ornamental in their own right. However it is the brightly coloured starlike flowers that immediately catch the eye, which with this species are blue, violet, pink or purple, combined with prominent yellow (fading to red) stamens. This is a common WA species, occurring mostly in non-forested (heath) areas south of a line from Kalbarri to Israelite Bay.

Calytrix leschenaultii was once known as a variety of Calytrix brachyphylla, but this species is no longer recognised. In the Esperance region C. leschenaultii can usually be found in small scattered colonies, growing in non-calcareous sand or gravel from the coast to the mallee, but are easily located in habitat due to their striking color display. However when not in bloom, their small leaves to 2 mm (less than 1/8”) permit the shrub to vanish into surrounding vegetation.

This species can grow to a metre (little over 3’) in height, but is commonly closer to 60 cm (2’). Several 1 cm (3/8”) diameter flowers are produced at the summit of each branchlet to often obscure the foliage; the calyx awns extend the floral parts a further 1 cm to 2 cm diameter. Calytrix leschenaultii is known to bloom (throughout its range) from June to November, but locally August to November would be the norm, although the long lasting reddish calyx and awns can prolong this period.

Pink Starflower - Calytrix decandra

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Pink Starflower - Calytrix decandra

A very eye-catching heathland shrub that is common to this district, particularly in deep sandy soils and often associated with Banksia speciosa, but it can also be encountered in other well-drained locations. The flowers of the genus Calytrix and as the name refers, have a long stiff hair terminating each of the calyx lobes (cup in which the petals sit). This distinctive feature is highly visible, even when the petals have fallen, so the genus is easily recognised.

The plants have fine small green leaves that clothe the stems, allowing the shrub to blend into the environment, so not particularly noticeable except when in flower when the bright pink flowers demand your attention. The Pink Starflower is a small compact shrub of around 60 cm high x 1 metre or so wide (2' x 3') and often found sheltering under or around large Banksia speciosa shrubs.

Flowering occurs from August to December, but October and November would be the main period. Birds do not seem very interested in these plants, so I would assume the flowers are pollinated by an interesting collection of flying insects with an eye for color, maybe native bees, flower beetles, flower wasps, butterflies and/or flies like the Bee Fly.