Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Regelia velutina

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Kingdom
  
Family
  
Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Genus
  
Regelia velutina angiobergianskaseBilderrosidsMyrtalesMyrtace

Similar
  
Regelia, Hakea victoria, Beaufortia, Calothamnus, Banksia coccinea

Regelia velutina, commonly known as Barrens regelia, a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a large shrub with greyish green, velvety leaves and large clusters of brilliant red to orange flowers on the ends of its branches in spring and summer.

Contents

Description

Regelia velutina is a large shrub, sometimes a small tree growing to a height of 6 m (20 ft), with long, straight stems. Its leaves, which are up to 13 mm (0.51 in) long are arranged in alternating pairs (decussate) so that they make four rows along the stems.

The flowers are reddish-orange, sometimes yellow, and arranged in almost spherical heads on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. There are 5 sepals, 5 petals and 5 bundles of stamens in each flower. Flowering occurs from September to November, sometimes to February and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules.

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described by Russian botanist, Nikolai Turczaninow in 1852 who named it Beaufortia velutina. In 1964, the Australian botanist Charles Austin Gardner transferred it to the genus Regelia. The specific epithet (velutina) is a Latin word meaning "velvety".

Distribution and habitat

Regelia velutina grows in sandy soil in rocky areas in the Avon Wheatbelt and Esperance Plains biogeographic regions.

Conservation

Regelia velutina listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Use in horticulture

Although it has attractive foliage and flowers, R. velutina is not common in cultivation. It does not grow well in areas of high summer rainfall and humidity. In drier climates it prefers well drained soils. It is easy to propagate from seed but the leaves may rot if mist propagation systems are used. Its commercial potential for export as a Christmas flower has been assessed.

References

Regelia velutina Wikipedia


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