The Gingin Wax is an open straggly shrub growing 1 to 2 m high with many slender, stiff branches that bear numerous 5-20 mm long axillary shoots. Its erect, glandular, bright green leaves are 5.4-11.5 mm long by 1.2-1.4 mm wide, and are scattered along the main branches, but are mostly crowded on numerous short axillary shoots. Leaves are attached to a 0.5-1.5 mm long petiole, which is frequently appressed (pressed closely) to the stem. The inflorescence is composed of a small head on short axillary shoots or sometimes a larger flower head at the end of the main branches. The 6.6-9.2 mm flowers occur in groups of two to nine in small heads on axillary shoots. Up to 20 flowers are held in clusters at the end of main branches. The flowers are pale pinkish-white, and the buds are tinged a deeper pink. The calyx lobes are erect, ovate, glandular, 2-2.8 mm long and have margins that are irregularly denticulate (finely toothed or notched) and ciliate. (Evans & English 1999a; Stack & English 2003a).
Gingin Wax |
Chamelaucium sp. Gingin
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Chamelaucium sp. Gingin
Relevant Biology Ecology Plants take five years to reach maturity and produce seed; and possibly longer to build a sufficient soil seed bank; a fire frequency of five years or less would severely threaten the long term viability of the species (Evans English 1999).
Threat factor Threat Evidence base type and status Fire Too frequent known It is known that seed of Gingin wax germinates following fire.
They also exacerbate grazing pressure and increase the fire hazard due to the easy ignition of high fuel loads; which are produced annually by many grass weed species.
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