Asterolasia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asterolasia |
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| Asterolasia hexapetala | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Asterolasia F.Muell. |
| Synonyms | |
Asterolasia is a group of plants that are usually shrubs. They can grow upright or spread along the ground. These plants belong to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits. All Asterolasia species are found only in Australia. This means they are endemic to Australia.
There are seventeen different types, or species, of Asterolasia. You can find them in all Australian mainland states. However, they do not grow in the Northern Territory.
Contents
What are Asterolasia Plants Like?
Asterolasia plants are shrubs that can stand tall or lie flat. Their leaves are simple and grow one after another along the stems. The edges of the leaves are smooth.
The flowers of Asterolasia plants have both male and female parts. Each flower usually has five sepals. These are small, leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. There are also five petals, which are often colorful. Inside the flower, you will find ten to twenty-five stamens. Stamens are the male parts that produce pollen.
All these parts, the sepals, petals, and stamens, are separate from each other. The stamens are a bit shorter than the petals. The female part of the flower has five sections called carpels. These are joined at the bottom, sometimes all the way to the top. The top part, called the stigma, is shaped like a shield.
When the flowers turn into fruit, they form up to five small, dry pods. These pods are called follicles. The seeds inside are dull and black. When they are ready, the seeds burst out of the pods very quickly.
How Asterolasia Got Its Name
The name Asterolasia was first officially used in 1854. It was described by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in a publication called Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria.
Where Asterolasia Plants Grow
You can find different kinds of Asterolasia plants all over mainland Australia. They grow in every state on the mainland. They are also found in the Australian Capital Territory. However, you won't find them in Tasmania or the Northern Territory.
See also
In Spanish: Asterolasia para niños
