Micromyrtus arenicola

Micromyrtus arenicola is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the southwest of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with small, linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and small white flowers.

Description
Micromyrtus arenicola is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.7–1.4 m. Its leaves are directed upwards, sometimes densely crowded, linear to narrowly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 2.2–4 mm long and 0.8–1.4 mm wide on a petiole 0.4–0.8 mm long, with four to seven prominent oil glands. The flowers are 3.5–4.0 mm in diameter, and arranged in 4 to 12 upper leaf axils on a peduncle 1.5–2.2 mm long with narrowly egg-shaped bracteoles 1.7–2.3 mm long at the base. The sepals are egg-shaped, 0.4–0.7 mm long and the petals are white, broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, and 1.5–2.0 mm long. There are ten stamens, the filaments 0.3–0.4 mm long. Flowering has been recorded from early April to September.

Taxonomy
Micromyrtus arenicola was first formally described in 2010 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected near Yuna in 2003. The specific epithet (arenicola) means "native of sandy places", referring to the habitat of this species.

Distribution and habitat
This species of micromyrtus mainly grows in sand from near Binnu and the Bindoo Hill Nature Reserve in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status
Micromyrtus arenicola is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.