Abba bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abba bell |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Darwinia
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| Species: |
whicherensis
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The Abba bell (scientific name: Darwinia whicherensis) is a special plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, which is called Myrtaceae. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a small bush with thin, straight leaves. Its flowers grow in a unique bell shape. These bell-shaped clusters have over twenty tiny flowers inside. They are surrounded by colorful leaves called bracts, which are mostly red with green edges.
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What the Abba Bell Looks Like
The Abba bell is a bush that can stand up straight or spread out. It usually grows to about 700 millimeters (28 inches) tall. It can also spread out to about 400 millimeters (16 inches) wide. Sometimes, it uses other plants nearby to help it stand up.
Its leaves are green and very thin, like lines. If you cut a leaf, it would look like a triangle. They are usually 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) long. The leaves often grow close together at the ends of the branches. They can also bend backward.
The flowers of the Abba bell grow in groups. Each group has about 22 to 24 flowers. These flower groups are surrounded by several rows of special leaves called bracts. The biggest bracts are 22 to 27 millimeters (0.87 to 1.1 inches) long and about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) wide. These flower clusters are shaped like bells and hang downwards. The small flowers inside have white petals. The style (a part of the flower) is red, curved, and 10 to 16 millimeters (0.39 to 0.63 inches) long.
How the Abba Bell Got Its Name
The Abba bell, Darwinia whicherensis, was first officially described in 2009. A scientist named Greg Keighery gave it its scientific name. He found a sample of the plant at the bottom of the Whicher Range escarpment. The second part of its scientific name, whicherensis, tells us where the first sample of the plant was found.
Where the Abba Bell Lives
The Abba bell is only found in one small area. This area is at the base of the Whicher Range. The total space where it grows is only about 5 square kilometers (1.9 square miles). It likes to grow in shallow, sandy clay soil. This soil is often wet during the winter. It grows in a type of shrubland where Dryandra squarrosa plants are common.
Why the Abba Bell Needs Our Help
The Abba bell is a very rare plant. The government of Western Australia lists it as "Threatened Flora." This means it is a rare plant that needs protection. The Australian Government also calls it "Endangered" (EN). This is because there is only one wild group of these plants, and there are not many mature plants left. They also live in a very small area.
The main dangers to the Abba bell are fires and diseases. Two diseases that threaten it are caused by tiny organisms called Phytophthora cinnamomi and Armillaria luteobubalina. These diseases can harm or kill the plants.
