Darwinia apiculata

Scarp darwinia is a densely branched, glabrous, rounded shrub growing to 0.4–0.5 metres (1–2 ft) high. It has thin red branches with the leaf bases having wings that extend down the stems. Its leaves have a petiole less than 0.3 millimetres (0.01 in) long, and a leaf blade 3–7 millimetres (0.1–0.3 in) long, linear in shape and triangular in cross-section. The tip of the leaves is sharply pointed. The flowers are arranged in groups of 4 to 8 near the ends of the branches. The groups of flowers are surrounded by narrow egg-shaped, pointed bracts up to 15 millimetres (0.6 in) long. The bracts are green, yellowish or yellow and red. The petal lobes are about 3 millimetres (0.1 in) long and 2 millimetres (0.08 in), enclosing the stamens, staminodes and the lower part of the style. The style is red and 6–9 millimetres (0.2–0.4 in) long with scattered hairs near its tip. Flowering occurs during October or November. Fruit rarely forms but is a nut containing one or two seeds.

This darwinia is currently only known from three populations in the Darling Scarp where it grows in jarrah-marri woodland in shallow, gravelly soil or sandy loam over laterite near granite boulders.

Scarp darwinia is killed by fire but regenerates from seed stored in the soil. Its pollination mechanism is not known but similar darwinias are pollinated by insects or birds. Some Darwinia species are susceptible to dieback disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi, but initial trials suggest that this species may be resistant. The main threats to the remaining populations include too-frequent fires, road and firebreak maintenance, weed invasion, illegal rubbish dumping and mining.