Thryptomene calycina
Grampians Thryptomene,Victorian LaceflowerFamily: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia
Thryptomene calycina is a beautiful shrub found growing wild in south-west Victoria, where it is common on rocky mountain sides. The foliage is small, neat and smooth and aromatic when the shrub is brushed in passing. Flowers of exceptional quality are the main attraction of this species, which flowers from autumn to spring. During spring the first pinkish buds appear low on the branches and open to tiny flat flowers facing all one way in straight tapering sprays. They are pure white with a dark eye. Flowering gradually spreads over the shrub until in midwinter the plant appears covered with snowy spires. These are checked only by the severest spells of cold. On fading, the flowers become suffused with pink tints which are held until mid-October and merge into the brighter spring show of other plants. This is a perfect cut flower lasting many weeks in water even as long sprays.
Thryptomene is a Greek word meaning 'made small', alluding to the small size of most Thryptomenes Clycina signifies the prominent calyx of the flower.
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