Micromyrtus vernicosa

Micromyrtus vernicosa is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a south-eastern Queensland. It is a spreading shrub with overlapping lance-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and small white flowers arranged singly in leaf axils with 5 stamens in each flower.

Description
Micromyrtus vernicosa is a spreading shrub that typically grows up to 2 m high and wide and has more or less drooping branchlets. It has overlapping, lance-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, 1.5–2.5 mm long, 0.5–0.6 mm wide on a petiole 0.25 mm long. The leaves are glabrous and glossy with prominent oil glands. The flowers are 1.9–2.1 mm wide and arranged singly in leaf axils on a peduncle 0.5–1.0 mm long, with 2 translucent bracteoles about 0.7 mm long at the base. There are 5 more or less round sepals lobes 0.3–0.4 mm long and 0.5–0.6 mm wide, and 5 white, elliptical petals 0.8–1.0 mm long and 0.6–0.7 mm wide. There are 5 stamens, the filaments about 0.4 mm long and the style is 0.3 mm long. Flowering has been observed in May and June.

Taxonomy
Micromyrtus vernicosa was first formally described in 1997 by Anthony Bean in the journal Austrobaileya from specimens collected in Mount Walsh National Park. The specific epithet (vernicosa) means "varnished", referring to the glossy leaves.

Distribution and habitat
This species of micromyrtus is endemic to Mount Walsh where it grows in rocky soils in heathland.

Conservation status
Micromyrtus vernicosa is listed as "vulnerable" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.