A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill., an Australian endemic genus of
Myrtaceae, tribe Chamelaucieae, is presented. Lhotskya Schauer is reduced to a synonym
of Calytrix. Seventy-two species are recognized of which the following 22 are described
as new: C. amethystina, C. carinata, C. chrysantha, C. divergens, C. duplistipulata, C.
eneabbensis, C. erosipetala, C. formosa, C. gurulmundensis, C. gypsophila, C.
habrantha, C. islensis, C. microcoma, C. parvivallis, C. paucicostata, C. platycheiridia,
C. praecipua, C. rupestris, C. similis, C. truncatifolia, C. verruculosa and C.
warburtonensis. Two species comprise two subspecies each, of which one, C. simplex
subsp. suboppositifolia, is also described as new. Other than autonyms the following new
names result from the transfer of Calycothrix and Lhotskya species to Calytrix, and/ or
changes in taxonomic rank: C, acuttfolia, C, breviseta subsp. stipulosa, C. brownii, C.
drummondii, C. glaberrima, C. harvestiana, C. merrelliana, C. nematoclada, C.
purpurea, C. smeatoniana and C. sylvana.
Distinctive features of the morphology are discussed. A new term, cheiridium, is proposed
for an apparently adaptive structure formed from the peduncle and persistent,
connate bracteoles. Other biological aspects that are discussed briefly include floral
biology, fruit and dispersal, and geography. An informal infrageneric classification, based
largely upon floral features, is outlined. New taxa are illustrated. Distribution maps are
provided for all taxa.