About Micrantheum ericoides Desf.
Micrantheum ericoides Desf. is a heath-like shrub that usually grows up to 70 centimeters (28 inches) tall, and its new growth is sometimes covered in soft hairs. Its leaves are arranged in whorls of three, with a shape ranging from linear to narrowly elliptic. Each leaf measures 4โ10 mm (0.16โ0.39 in) long and 1.0โ1.5 mm (0.039โ0.059 in) wide. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth, while the lower surface is covered in soft, white hairs. Male flowers grow on a 1โ2 mm (0.039โ0.079 in) long peduncle, their tepals are about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long, and each male flower has 3 stamens. Female flowers are borne on a peduncle that grows to 5 mm (0.20 in) long by the time fruit develops. This species flowers from August to November, and its fruit is a smooth capsule 6โ7 mm (0.24โ0.28 in) long and about 4 mm (0.16 in) wide. Micrantheum ericoides grows in heath and forest on sandy soil, and is found in south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales.