Genus of flowering plants
Kunzea is a genus of plants in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to Australasia. They are shrubs, sometimes small trees and usually have small, crowded, rather aromatic leaves. The flowers are similar to those of plants in the genus "Leptospermum" but differ in having stamens that are longer than the petals. Most kunzeas are endemic to Western Australia but a few occur in eastern Australia and a few are found in New Zealand. The taxonomy of the genus is not settled and is complicated by the existence of a number of hybrids.
Description.
Plants in the genus "Kunzea" are shrubs or small trees, usually with their leaves arranged alternately along the branches. The flowers are arranged in clusters near the ends of the branches, which in some species, continue to grow after flowering. The flowers of most species lack a stalk but those that have one are usually solitary or in groups of two or three. In some species, the flowers are surrounded by enlarged bracts. There are five petals, five sepals and a large number of stamens which are always longer than the petals. The fruit is a usually a woody capsule. Kunzeas are similar to species in other genera of the Myrtaceae, especially "Leptospermum" but are distinguished from that genus by having stamens that are longer than the petals.
Taxonomy and naming.
The first formal description of a kunzea was published in 1828 by Ludwig Reichenbach in his book "Conspectus Regni Vegetabilis". Reichenbach referred to three species – "K. capitata", "K. ericifolia" and "K. corifolia" (now "K. ambigua") – but did not nominate a type species. In 1981, Hellmut Toelken nominated "K. capitata" as the type species. Reichenbach named the genus after his "distinguished friend", the German naturalist Gustav Kunze, professor of botany in Leipzig. The taxonomy of the genus is not settled and hybrids often occur where two species occur in the same area.
Distribution.
The majority of "Kunzea" species are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia but there are species in every Australian state and in New Zealand.
Use in horticulture.
Some species of "Kunzea" are suitable for use in gardens. "Kunzea ambigua" is described as a "handsome shrub which attracts numerous birds and colourful soldier beetles when in flower". A form of this species from southern Victoria reputedly flowers profusely with sprays of scented flowers. "Kunzea capitata" and "K. pulchella" are red-flowering species from Western Australia and are described as "indeed outstanding" although they are sometimes difficult to establish in eastern states and need to be grafted onto hardier rootstock.
Species.
Sourced from the authoritative "Australian Plant Name Index" and "Australian Plant Census" as of January 2017[ [update]] and the Kew Gardens World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.
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References.
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