Crowea exalata 

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperms  > Eudicots > Rosids >  Sapindales > Rutaceae   >  Crowea. exalata

Other links:    

Plant  information

Common name:               Small Crowea 

• Also, Wax flower

Conservation status:   . . .

Etymology:   

• The specific epithet (exalata) is derived from the Latin ex- meaning "out of"  and alata meaning "winged",  hence "wingless"

Flowers:                  

• It flowers mainly from late summer to mid-winter when few others are flowering 

• Usually has some flowers at other times of the year

• The star-like flowers appear on the ends of the branches or in the axils of the leaves on a stalk 2–4 mm long

• The five petals are egg-shaped, about 10 mm and usually pink, sometimes white and a range of colours in the cultivars

• The stamens in the centre of the flower almost overlap

• Flowering occurs mainly from mid-summer to late winter but flowers can be present most of the year

Fruit:                         

• The fruits that follow are dry and have 5 compartments which open to release 2 seeds each

Leaves:         

• Its leaves are narrow oblong to narrow egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base 

• Are 15–50 mm long and 1–6 mm wide

• They have many oil glands and have a characteristic scent when crushed

Stem & branches:    

• A small shrub, growing to a height of about 1 m) with thin branches, often spreading to more than 1 m 

Roots:         

Habit:        

• A small shrub and is a popular garden plant

Habitat:   

• It is found on the east coast, ranges and the slopes on the western side of the ranges

• It grows in dry sclerophyll forest in sandy soil

Distribution:                  

• Endemic to se Queensland, NSW and Victoria

Additional notes:     

• A popular garden plant

• Taxonomy 

  • Crowea exalata was first formally described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1854. The description was published in Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria

  • Four subspecies are recognised by the Australian Plant Census as at November 2020:

    • C. exalata F.Muell. subsp. exalata

    • C. exalata subsp. magnifolia Gebert

    • C. exalata subsp. obcordata Gebert

    • C. exalata subsp. revoluta Paul G.Wilson

  • Cultivars include:

    • 'Bindalong Compact'

    • 'Ginninderra Falls'

    • 'Green Cape'

    • 'Pink Blush'

    • 'Ryans Star'

    • 'Southern Stars'

    • 'Star of Heaven'

    • 'Whipstick'

    • 'White Star'

• Use in horticulture

  • Crowea exalata is widely cultivated and is usually available in Australian native plant nurseries

  • It grows best in light soil, partly shaded from the sun and is an ideal rockery plant

  • t is a hardy plant, especially when supplied with well-mulched soil and adequate water

  • Propagation is easier from cuttings because seeds must be nicked and held under running water for several weeks before sowing

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowea_exalata (2023)