Calothamnus gilesii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, usually compact shrub with fine, pine-like foliage and which produces cluster of red flowers from June to January. (In 2014 Craven, Edwards and Cowley proposed that the species be renamed Melaleuca gilesii.)[2]
Calothamnus gilesii is an erect, or open, spreading shrub growing to a height of about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). Its leaves are fine, circular in cross section and up to 120 millimetres (5 in) long tapering to a sharp point.[3][4]
The flowers are bright red and arranged in small groups. The stamens are arranged in 5 claw-like bundles. Flowering occurs in late spring and summer and is followed by fruits which are woody capsules.[3][4]
Calothamnus gilesii was first formally described by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1876 in the tenth volume of Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[1][5] It is not clear whether the specific epithet (gilesii) honours Ernest Giles who conducted major expeditions in central Australia[6] or Ernest Giles's friend, Christopher Giles, both of whom made collections for Mueller.[7] Mueller noted that the collection was made by "Giles and Young".[5]
Calothamnus gilesii is widespread in the drier areas of south-western Western Australia including the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Great Victoria Desert, Mallee, Murchison, Nullarbor Plain and Yalgoo biogeographic regions. It grows on sandplains and stony ridges.[8]
This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian government department of parks and wildlife.[8]
In cultivation, the species adapts well to harsh, hot situations. It tolerates some dryness and moderate frost.[9]
Calothamnus gilesii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, usually compact shrub with fine, pine-like foliage and which produces cluster of red flowers from June to January. (In 2014 Craven, Edwards and Cowley proposed that the species be renamed Melaleuca gilesii.)
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