Calytrix is a genus of about 83 species of flowering plants, commonly known as star flowers, in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to Australia. Plants in the genus Calytrix are small to large shrubs with small, spreading and more or less round leaves, the flowers arranged singly in leaf axils. The flowers are bisexual with 5 overlapping sepals with a long awn, and many stamens.

Description

Plants in the genus Calytrix are dwarf to large shrubs with overlapping or widely-spaced leaves, but with stipules absent or small. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils with 2 bracteoles at the base. The floral tube is usually long and tube-shaped with 5 overlapping sepals with a long awn on the end and 5 lance-shaped to elliptic petals that are free from each other and fall from the flower as it develops. There are many stamens, in one to several whorls. The fruit is a small, dry nut containing a single seed.

Taxonomy

The genus Calytrix was first formally described in 1806 by Jacques Labillardière in his Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen, and the first species he described (the type species was Calytrix tetragona. The genus name (Calytrix) means "calyx hair", referring to the sepal awns.

Distribution

Calytrix are endemic to Australia, occurring in the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia, but the majority of species occur in the south-west of Western Australia.

Species list

The following is a list of Calytrix species accepted by the Australian Plant Census as at June 2024: