Calytrix Tetragona
Calytrix tetragona Labill.
Calytrix tetragona, the common fringe myrtle, is Australia's most widespread member of the Calytrix genus, a heath-like shrub that produces masses of starry white or pink five-petalled flowers with distinctive fringed, awned calyces. Hardy, aromatic, and charming, it is found across every state and territory of Australia.
Myrtaceae
Spring to early summer (September to February); peak display in October; cool moist conditions can extend flowering into December; unlike many Australian natives, it does not flower sporadically at other times of the year
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: pimelea ferrugineas and hibiscuss also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Calytrix tetragona was first formally described in 1806 by French botanist Jacques Labillardière in his landmark work Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen, one of the earliest comprehensive accounts of the Australian flora, based on specimens collected during his 1792 voyage to south-east Australia with Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. The genus name Calytrix comes from the Ancient Greek words calyx (the collective term for sepals) and thrix meaning "a hair," a reference to the distinctive fine hair-like awns projecting from the calyx lobes that give the flowers their characteristic fringed appearance. The specific epithet tetragona means "four-angled" in Latin, referring to the decussate arrangement of the leaves. The common name "fringe myrtle" equally captures this characteristic, describing the beautiful fringed effect of the flowers. As the most geographically widespread of approximately 90 Australian Calytrix species, and the only species found in every state and territory, Calytrix tetragona represents the remarkable capacity of Australian native plants to adapt to a continent of extraordinary climatic and geological diversity. The fringed awns of the calyx, which deepen in colour to rusty red after the petals fall and remain on the plant for many weeks, provide a uniquely extended ornamental quality that rewards close observation.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade; best flowering in a sunny position
Water
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established; performs best with occasional deep watering; avoid waterlogging at all times; plants native to dry climates (WA, SA, western Vic) may struggle in high-humidity eastern Australian gardens
Soil
Sandy, Gravelly, Well-drained, Low nutrient, Acidic to alkaline, Adaptable to a wide range of soils except waterlogged
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in well-drained sandy or gravelly, low-nutrient soil in a sunny or partly shaded position
Choose a provenance suited to your local climate: plants from dry climates (WA, SA) may not thrive in humid eastern gardens, while eastern Australian forms tend to be more broadly adaptable
Prune lightly immediately after flowering by trimming stems to just below the lowest spent flowers; this maintains density and prevents the plant becoming bare and leggy
Avoid cutting back to bare wood; new shoots emerge from leafy growth, not from old bare stems
Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings; seed germination is unreliable and slow
Do not use high-phosphorus fertilisers; the plant does not tolerate nutrient-rich soils
The tiny leaves release a spicy, aromatic fragrance when bruised, adding a further sensory quality to the garden
A long-lived plant in suitable conditions: specimens at the Australian National Botanic Gardens have reached 2.5 m over 20 years
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Spring flowering feature shrub for small gardens
- Rock garden and granite garden specimen
- Border plant for heathland-style native gardens
- Container growing in well-drained native potting mix
- Dried arrangements featuring the persistent awned calyces that remain decorative after petals fall
- Cut flower sprigs for dainty spring arrangements
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Calytrix Tetragona
What does calytrix tetragona mean?
The genus name Calytrix comes from the Ancient Greek calyx (the collective term for the sepals) and thrix meaning "hair," referring to the distinctive fine awns projecting from the calyx lobes. The species name tetragona means "four-angled" in Latin, a reference to the arrangement of the leaves on the stems. Together the name captures the plant's key identifying features: angular leaves and fringed, hair-tipped sepals.
Why is calytrix tetragona called fringe myrtle?
The common name comes from two distinctive features. "Myrtle" places it in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), and "fringe" refers to the fine, hair-like awns that project from the tips of the calyx lobes beyond the petals, giving each flower a characteristic fringed or star-burst appearance. After the petals fall, these awns often deepen in colour and remain on the plant for many weeks, extending the ornamental display.
Where does calytrix tetragona grow naturally?
It is the most widespread Calytrix species in Australia, found in every state and the Australian Capital Territory. It grows in sandplains, sand dunes, granite outcrops, heathland, and woodland. Its distribution spans from south-west Western Australia and South Australia across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, making it one of Australia's most geographically adaptable native shrubs.
Is calytrix tetragona easy to grow?
Yes, it is considered one of the more reliable and easier-to-grow members of its genus. It prefers sandy, well-drained, low-nutrient soil in full sun or part shade and responds well to regular light pruning after flowering. The main challenge is matching the provenance of the plant to your local climate: forms from dry WA or SA can struggle in humid eastern gardens, so selecting plants suited to your region is important.
How long does calytrix tetragona flower?
The main flowering period is spring, typically September to December in most of Australia, with the peak display in October. In cool, moist conditions the season can extend into February. Unusually for an Australian native, it does not generally produce stray flowers throughout the year outside this main spring season. After the petals fall, the colourful, awned calyces remain on the plant and provide a further weeks-long decorative display.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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