Cryptandra wilsonii

Cryptandra wilsonii is a flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with hairy young stems, oblong to narrowly oblong leaves and clusters of white, tube-shaped flowers arranged in small clusters.

Description
Cryptandra wilsonii is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 15–90 cm, its young stems covered with both star-shaped and straight hairs, the branchlets sometimes spiny. The leaves are oblong to narrowly oblong, 1.8–3.2 mm long and 0.5–0.7 mm wide, on a petiole 0.3–0.5 mm long with stipules 0.8–1.4 mm long at the base. The upper surface of the leaves is glabrous, the lower surface is usually concealed and the tip of the leaf curves downwards. The flowers are white and arranged in spike-like or head-like clusters of 2 to 6, with about 6 or 7 broadly egg-shaped floral bracts 1.2–1.6 mm long at the base. The floral tube is 1.4–1.9 mm long joined at the base for about 0.5 mm. The sepals are 1.2–1.6 mm long, the style 0.7–1.3 mm long. Flowering occurs from May to August, and the fruit is a schizocarp about 3 mm long and densely covered with star-shaped hairs.

Taxonomy and naming
Cryptandra wilsonii was first formally described in 1995 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected near Cape Riche Beach in 1974. The specific epithet (wilsonii ) honours the Australian botanist, Paul G. Wilson.

Distribution and habitat
This cryptandra usually grows in sandy soil, sometimes in mallee scrub, and occurs from north-east of Wialki to Cape Riche and near Gibson in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Mallee bioregions of Western Australia.

Conservation status
Cryptandra wilsonii is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.