CHAMELAUCIUM UNCINATUM: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2025

Chamelaucium uncinatum or wax flower is a species of bushy plant with showy flowers belonging to the Mirtaceae family. Native to the western region of Australia, it has spread wildly to the rest of Australia and commercially in North America and the Mediterranean.

This plant is characterized by the abundance of waxy flowers that densely cover the entire bush and the fine needle-like leaves. It is a representative species of the Australian flora widely cultivated as a cut flower and is also used in floristry and gardening.

Chamelaucium uncinatum. Source: No machine-readable author provided. Eug assumed (based on copyright claims).

Chamelaucium uncinatum, known commercially as waxflower or wax flower, is a semi-woody shrubby plant with herbaceous ramifications and needle-shaped leaves. Flowering begins with small buttons, giving rise to flowers with five welded petals of different shades; white, pink, purple and purple.

The wax flower crop is adapted to dry climate conditions, has low irrigation requirements and is tolerant to drought. In addition, it has a long flowering period -50-60 days-, supports low intensity frosts and prolonged dry periods with low maintenance.

At present, different species of the genus Chamelaucium, including C. uncinatum, lead the international market for commercial flowers. In Europe it is one of the 20 best-selling species, including more than 50 varieties of different sizes and shades.

General characteristics

Morphology

Chamelaucium uncinatum is an upright, branched perennial shrub that can reach 1-4 m in height and a 2-3 m wide crown. The branches are formed by fine woody stems covered densely by small acicular leaves of light green color.

The small opposite leaves form branches that when rubbed emit a delicate citrus aroma. Likewise, these needle-shaped leaves end in a small nail, which has led to the specific adjective of - uncinatum -.

Flowering starts from late winter to mid-summer. The plant is covered with numerous flowers with five pinkish petals, ten stamens and a waxy texture, hence the name -wax flower-.

The flowering process is subject to the photoperiod, in addition, short days such as the drop in ambient temperature induce flowering. In this way, the flowering period is maintained for three months, from the appearance of the flower buds until the fall of the flowers.

Chamelaucium uncinatum flower detail: Source: Col Ford and Natasha de Vere

Flowers maintain a long life span, mainly after maintenance pruning, being of great economic value in horticulture. When ripe, the flowers develop small globose, bright red fruits with a single seed.

On a commercial level it is used as a cut flower. In the market there is a wide variety of cultivars depending on the color of the flower: magenta - Purple Pride -, pink - Purple Gem -, white - Lady Stephanie -, or various colors - Laura Mae - flowers.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Subclass: Rosidae
• Order: Myrtales
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Genus: Chamelaucium
• Species: Chamelaucium uncinatum Schauer

Detail of the acicular leaves of Chamelaucium uncinatum: Source: Peripitus

Distribution and habitat

Chamelaucium uncinatum is a species native to the coastal areas, slopes, swamp edges, sandy or rocky areas and plains of Western Australia. It is found in the wild from its area of ​​origin throughout the southwestern region of Western Australia.

At present it is widely cultivated in different regions of Australia -from Perth to Kalbarri- and the United States -California-. In fact, it is cultivated both in home gardens and in commercial crops and nurseries to market as cut flowers.

Chamelaucium uncinatum flowered shrub: Source: Tatiana Gerus from Brisbane, Australia

The wax flower is a winter flowering shrub native to the Australian desert, which is adapted to the environmental conditions of the Mediterranean area. Its possibilities as a commercial crop for large flowers are highly accepted in the European market.

Care

The wax flower or Chamelaucium uncinatum is a resistant species that is easy to grow in various environments in the Mediterranean basin. In fact, it requires full sun exposure, fertile, sandy and well-drained soils, since it is susceptible to excess soil moisture.

It is a crop that adapts to dry climates -subtropical and Mediterranean-, tolerant to drought and resistant to occasional low intensity frosts. On a productive level, it is a decorative plant to grow in pots, parks, gardens forming hedges, and on terraces or balconies.

To obtain an abundant flowering the plant requires a period of slightly warm temperature followed by a relatively cool period. The wax flower does not tolerate high temperatures, so it requires aeration; the ideal temperature range is 20-25º C.

In full development, the plant emits abundant branches that tend to hang, making them ideal for decorative baskets or as cut flowers. In research it is used as a pattern or graft holder due to its great resistance and adaptability to various environments.

The recommended propagation methods are by means of seeds in the middle of spring. However, the best way to reproduce the wax flower is from semi-woody cuttings in late summer.

During the period from spring to autumn, the plant requires regular watering, keeping the soil moist without becoming waterlogged. Wax flower is resistant to drought, so excess moisture can lead to root rot.

In winter, watering should be reduced significantly, preventing the soil from drying out completely, which would cause the death of the plant. It is convenient to apply an organic fertilizer annually, and carry out a training pruning at the end of flowering.

Plagues and diseases

Pests

Empoasca (

Insect order Hemiptera belonging to the family Cicadellidae. It produces bites on the leaves by sucking the sap, causing yellowing and necrosis of the edges.

The highest incidence occurs on young plants in summer. It is controlled with organic insecticides such as pyrethrins.

Green aphid (

Polyphagous insect that causes significant damage directly or indirectly to the crop. During the spring and summer this pest causes serious damage to young leaves, buds and shoots.

Biological control or the application of specific systemic insecticides is recommended.

Diseases

Alternaria (

Alternaria is an ascomycete fungus, the causal agent of the major plant pathogens. It occurs during the fall, causing the change of color of the leaves towards red-orange, which results in defoliation and interruption of growth.

It is recommended to apply the fungicides Chlorothalonil or Maneb.

Botrytis (

Ascomycete fungi that produce a gray rot at the level of the flowers. The attack on the flowers occurs in winter, causing rotting in conditions of high humidity.

The application of the fungicides Iprodione or Vinclozolina has been effective.

Powdery mildew (

The main symptom is the appearance of a white powder -spores- with a cottony appearance on the surface of the leaves. Powdery mildew can cause total defoliation of the plant.

Treatment with the fungicides Fenarimol and Propineb reports excellent results.

Uredo rangeliie (myrtle rust) is a pest that affects new leaf shoots of Chamelaucium uncinatum. Source: John Tann from Sydney, Australia

References

1. Corrick, Margaret G. & Fuhrer, Bruce A. (2009) Wildflowers of Southern Western Australia. Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd. 3rd ed. ISBN: 9781877058844.
2. Chamelaucium uncinatum - Flor de cera (2018) Verde es Vida: The Journal of the Spanish Association of Garden Centers. Recovered in: verdeesvida.es
3. Chamelaucium uncinatum Schauer (2019) ITIS Report. Taxonomic Serial No.: 834896. Retrieved from: itis.gov
4. Martín Alemán, Natalia (2018) Genrealities about some ornamental crops for flower accessories. Floriculture and Gardening Section. Technical Service of the Experimental Agricultural Farm.
5. Medina Herrera, AP (2017) Effect of the inoculation of beneficial microorganisms on the development of the Waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum) Var. Ofir in the Pampa de Villacurí, Ica. National University "San Luis Gonzaga" of Ica. Agronomy faculty. (Thesis). 64 pp.
6. Romero González, Miguel, Revilla Pérez, Andrés and García Ré, Francisco (2003) Introduction to the Cultivation of Flor de Cera (Wax Flower). Edited by: Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Environment. 32 pp.
7. Tregea, W. (2003) Geraldton Wax Growing in Central Australia (Chamelaucium uncinatum). Northern Territory Government of Australia. Agdex No: 282/20. ISSN No: 0157-8243.