Kingdom Plantae Family Rhamnaceae Scientific name Cryptandra arbutiflora | Order Rosales Genus Cryptandra Rank Species | |
Cryptandra arbutiflora, commonly known as waxy cryptandra, is a shrub species in the Buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, occurring between the south coast and the Dandaragan area to the north and also near Geraldton. It ranges from 0.05 to 1 metre in height and produces cream bell-shaped flowers between May and November. The species was first formally described by botanist Eduard Fenzl based on plant material collected by Charles von Hügel from the Swan River area. Fenzl's description was published in 1837 in Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel The Latin specific epithet arbutiflora alludes to the flowers which are reminiscent of those of Arbutus unedo, the Irish Strawberry Tree.
Four varieties are currently recognised:
A former variety C. arbutiflora var. intermedia is now regarded as a species in its own right - Cryptandra intermedia.