Styphelia microcalyx, commonly known as native cranberry,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south west of Western Australia. It is a much-branched, erect or diffuse shrub with linear or narrowly oblong leaves and red, tube-shaped flowers that are bearded inside.
| Styphelia microcalyx | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In the Porongurup National Park | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Styphelia |
| Species: | S. microcalyx |
| Binomial name | |
| Styphelia microcalyx | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Astroloma microcalyx Sond. | |
Description
Styphelia microcalyx is an erect or diffuse shrub that typically grows up to a height of 30–60 cm (12–24 in) and has many, minutely softly-hairy branches. Its leaves are linear to narrowly oblong, usually 6.5–8.7 mm (0.26–0.34 in) long, sometimes with a small hard point on the tip and sometimes minutely toothed. The flowers are red and nearly sessile with bracteoles less than 2 mm (0.079 in) long at the base. The sepals are 4.3–5.4 mm (0.17–0.21 in) long, the petals joined at the base to form a tube 8.5–11 mm (0.33–0.43 in) long, with erect lobes that are bearded inside.[3]
Taxonomy and naming
This species was first formally described in 1845 by Otto Wilhelm Sonder who gave it the name Astroloma microcalyx in Lehmann's Plantae Preissianae.[4] In 1867 Ferdinand von Mueller transferred the species to Styphelia as S. microcalyx in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[1] The specific epithet (microcalyx) means "small sepals".[5]
Distribution
This styphelia grows in near-coastal areas of the Swan Coastal Plain bioregion of south-western Western Australia.[2]
Conservation status
Styphelia melaleucoides is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[2]