''Chamelaucium'', also known as waxflower, is a genus of shrubs

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to south western

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

. They belong to the myrtle family

Myrtaceae Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All speci ...

and have flowers similar to those of the tea-trees (''

Leptospermum ''Leptospermum'' is a genus of shrubs and small trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae commonly known as tea trees, although this name is sometimes also used for some species of ''Melaleuca''. Most species are endemic to Australia, with the greate ...

''). The most well-known species is the Geraldton wax, ''

Chamelaucium uncinatum ''Chamelaucium uncinatum'', the Geraldton waxflower, Geraldton wax, is a flowering plant endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub 0.5 to 4m high, bearing white or pink flowers June–November. The name ''uncinatum'' means "hooked" in ...

'', which is cultivated widely for its large attractive flowers.

Description

Plants of the genus ''Chamelaucium'' are woody evergreen shrubs ranging from 15 cm (6 in) to 3 m (10 ft) high. The leaves are tiny to medium-sized and arranged oppositely on the stems. They contain oil glands and are aromatic, often giving off a pleasant aroma when crushed. The flowers are small and have five petals, ten stamens, and are followed by small hardened fruit.

Taxonomy

The genus was first defined by French botanist

René Louiche Desfontaines René Louiche Desfontaines (14 February 1750 – 16 November 1833) was a French botanist. Desfontaines was born near Tremblay, Ille-et-Vilaine , Tremblay in Brittany. He attended the Collège de Rennes and in 1773 went to Paris to study medi ...

in 1819. The derivation of the name is unclear. They are commonly known as waxplants, or wax flowers from the waxy feel of the petals. Fourteen species are currently recognised within the genus. It gives its name to a number of closely related genera, collectively known as the Chamelaucium alliance within the family Myrtaceae; larger members include ''

Verticordia :For the clam genus, see ''Verticordia'' (bivalve). ''Verticordia'' is a genus of more than 100 species of plants commonly known as featherflowers, in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. They range in form from very small shrubs such as '' V. vertico ...

'', ''

Calytrix ''Calytrix'' is a genus of shrubs in the family Myrtaceae described as a genus in 1806. They are commonly known as starflowers. ''Calytrix'' are endemic to Australia, occurring in the (Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and We ...

'', ''

Darwinia Darwinia may refer to: * ''Darwinia'' (plant) Rudge 1815, a genus of Myrtaceae found only in Australia *''Darwinia'' Raf., a synonym of the legume genus ''Sesbania'' Adans. * ''Darwinia'' (video game), a 2005 video game by Introversion Software * '' ...

'', ''

Micromyrtus ''Micromyrtus'' is a genus of shrubs, in the family Myrtaceae, described as a genus in 1865. The entire genus is endemic to Australia. Species The following is a list of species accepted by the Australian Plant Census as at March 2020: * ' ...

'', ''

Thryptomene ''Thryptomene'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to Australia. Plants in the genus ''Thryptomene'' are shrubs with small leaves arranged in opposite pairs and white or pink flowers. About forty-seven specie ...

'' and ''

Baeckea ''Baeckea'' is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, all but one endemic to Australia. Plants in the genus ''Baeckea'' are shrubs or small trees with leaves arranged in opposite pairs, white to deep pink flowers with five s ...

''.

Species

Species include: *''

Chamelaucium axillare ''Chamelaucium axillare'', commonly known as Esperance waxflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae endemic to Western Australia. The erect shrub typically grows to a height of . It blooms between September and December pr ...

'' F.Muell. ex Benth. – Esperance waxflower *'' Chamelaucium brevifolium'' Benth. *''

Chamelaucium ciliatum ''Chamaelaucium ciliatum'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that ar ...

'' Desf. *''

Chamelaucium confertiflorum ''Chamaelaucium confertiflorum'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms t ...

'' Domin *''

Chamelaucium drummondii ''Chamaelaucium drummondii'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic to Western Australia. The erect shrub typically grows to a height of but can reach as high as . It blooms between August and January producing white-pink flowers. Found a ...

'' (Turcz.) Meisn. *''

Chamelaucium gracile ''Chamaelaucium gracile'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic to Western Australia. It is found in the Mid West region of Western Australia where it grows in sandy soils. References {{Taxonbar, from=Q15395627 gracile Gracility is ...

'' F.Muell. *''

Chamelaucium heterandrum ''Chamelaucium'', also known as waxflower, is a genus of shrubs endemic to south western Western Australia. They belong to the myrtle family Myrtaceae and have flowers similar to those of the tea-trees (''Leptospermum''). The most well-known spe ...

'' Benth. *''

Chamelaucium marchantii ''Chamaelaucium marchantii'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic to Western Australia. The dense, rounded and many branched shrub typically grows to a height of . It blooms in October producing yellow-green flowers. Found along creeks a ...

'' Strid *''

Chamelaucium megalopetalum ''Chamaelaucium megalopetalum'', is a flowering plant commonly known as the large waxflower, is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an isla ...

'' F.Muell. ex Benth – large waxflower *''

Chamelaucium micranthum ''Chamaelaucium micranthum'' is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, endemic to Western Australia. The erect shrub typically grows to a height of . It blooms between August and November producing white flowers. Found along creek beds and ...

'' (Turcz.) Domin *''

Chamelaucium pauciflorum ''Chamaelaucium pauciflorum'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic to Western Australia. The shrub typically grows to a height of . It blooms in between August and October producing white-pink flowers. Found on plains, ridges and rises i ...

'' (Turcz.) Benth. *''

'' Schauer – Geraldton waxflower, Geraldton wax *''

Chamelaucium virgatum ''Chamaelaucium virgatum'' is a member of the family Myrtaceae endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that ar ...

'' Endl.

Distribution and habitat

Restricted to the southwest of Western Australia, ''Chamelaucium'' species grow most commonly in heathland communities growing on sand near the coast or inland, and in granite outcrops. Some grow in more semi arid climates.

Cultivation

In cultivation, they do well in dryer climates with good drainage and sunny aspect. They are hardy to frost and drought, although sensitive to '' Phytophthora cinnamomi''. The best known and most widely cultivated member of the genus by far is '' C. uncinatum'', which is widely grown in gardens across

Southern Australia The term Southern Australia is generally considered to refer to the states and territories of Australia of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia. The part of Western Australia south of lati ...

, and for the cut flower industry in the

USA The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

and

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

. File:Chamelaucium Purple Pride plant.jpg, ''Chamelaucium uncinatum'' File:Chamelaucium ciliatum.jpg, ''Chamelaucium ciliatum''

References

* * Wilson, Peter G., O'Brien, Marcelle M., Gadek, Paul A., and Quinn, Christopher J. 2001. "Myrtaceae Revisited: A Reassessment of Infrafamilial Groups". '' American Journal of Botany'' 88 (11): 2013–2025. Availabl
online
(pdf file). {{Taxonbar, from=Q142244 Myrtaceae genera Taxa named by René Louiche Desfontaines Endemic flora of Southwest Australia