''Aggreflorum ellipticum'' is a species of shrub that is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

to eastern Australia. It has fibrous, flaky bark, elliptical leaves, white flowers arranged in small groups on the ends of short side branches, and fruit that falls from the plant when mature.

Description

''Aggreflorum ellipticum'' is a shrub that typically grows to a height of or more with reddish brown, fibrous or flaky bark, the younger stems covered with soft hairs. The leaves are elliptical, up to long and wide with a blunt point and tapering to a very short petiole. The flowers are white with several together on short side shoots, each flower about wide. The floral cup is densely covered with short, silky hairs, and about long. The

sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 Etymology The term ''sepalum'' ...

s are hairy, oblong to hemispherical, about long, the

petal Petals are modified leaves that form an inner whorl surrounding the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly coloured or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corol ...

s long and the stamens about long. Flowering mainly occurs from October to January and the fruit is a capsule about with the remains of the sepals attached, but which fall from the plant when mature.

Taxonomy and naming

This tea-tree was formally described in 1920 by

Cyril Tenison White Cyril Tenison White (17 August 1890 – 15 August 1950) was an Australian botanist. Early life White was born in Brisbane, Queensland, to Henry White, a trade broker, and Louisa (''nee'' Bailey). He attended school at South Brisbane State Sch ...

and William D. Francis who gave it the name ''Agonis elliptica'' and published the description in the ''Botany Bulletin'' of the ''Department of Agriculture, Queensland'' from specimens collected by Francis near Beerwah. In 2023,

Peter Gordon Wilson Peter may refer to: People * List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Peter (given name) ** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church * Peter (surname), a sur ...

changed the name to ''Aggreflorum ellipticum''.

Distribution and habitat

''Aggreflorum ellipticum'' grows in swampy, coastal heath between Wide Bay in Queensland and

Coffs Harbour Coffs Harbour, locally nicknamed Coffs, is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, north of Sydney, and south of Brisbane. It is one of the largest urban centres on the North Coast, with a population of 78,759 a ...

in New South Wales.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15368408 ellipticum Myrtales of Australia Flora of New South Wales Flora of Queensland Plants described in 1920 Taxa named by Cyril Tenison White