Calothamnus cupularis

Calothamnus cupularis is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a similar shrub to Calothamnus formosus but has larger flowers and fruit.

Description

Calothamnus cupularis is a shrub growing to a height of about with stems that are hairy at first but become glabrous over time. Its leaves are needle-like, mostly long and wide, circular in cross section and tapering at the end to a sharp point.
The flowers are bright red and have 5 petals and 5 claw-like bundles of stamens, each about long. The sepals have a thickened rib in their centre and wide papery margins. The petals are long. Flowering occurs in September or October and is followed by fruits which are woody, smooth, cylindrical capsules, long.

Taxonomy and naming

Calothamnus cupularis was first formally described in 2010 by Alex George from a specimen found in the Kalbarri National Park. The specific epithet is Latin for "cup-like", referring to the shape of the fruits of this species.

Distribution and habitat

Calothamnus cupularis occurs in a small area in the Kalbarri National Park, in the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region where it grows in sand in kwongan.

Conservation

Calothamnus cupularis is classified as "priority 2" by the Western Australian government Department of Parks and Wildlife meaning that is poorly known and from one or a few locations.