Atractocarpus benthamianus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atractocarpus benthamianus |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atractocarpus
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| Species: |
benthamianus
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The Atractocarpus benthamianus is a type of flowering plant found in eastern Australia. It belongs to the Rubiaceae plant family. This plant often grows under taller trees in warm, wet forests. You can find it from Forster, New South Wales up to central Queensland. One special thing about this plant is its lovely smelling flowers.
Contents
Discovering the Native Gardenia
What Does Atractocarpus benthamianus Look Like?
This plant can grow as a woody bush or a small tree. It can reach up to 8 meters (about 25 feet) tall. Its trunk is usually straight but can sometimes be a bit bent. The bark is smooth and grey, with interesting horizontal lines.
The leaves are large, shiny, and dark green. They are shaped like an oval or a spear. They grow in groups of three or four around the branches. You can easily see the veins on the leaves.
Flowers and Fruit
Small, white, and very fragrant flowers appear from June to November. They grow in groups of two or three. Each flower has five petals that look like small spears.
Later, from May to September, the plant produces orange, oval-shaped fruits. These fruits contain about 14 to 18 seeds inside a soft pulp. Many people say the flowers smell just like a common gardenia!
Where Does It Grow?
Habitat of Atractocarpus benthamianus
You can find this plant along the eastern coast of Australia. Its range stretches from Forster in New South Wales, north to Nambour in Queensland. It prefers to grow in warm, wet rainforests. These are places with lots of rain and a mild climate.
Uses of the Plant
Growing Atractocarpus benthamianus in Gardens
Because of its beautiful, bushy leaves and sweet-smelling flowers, this plant is great for gardens. It also has colorful fruits. It grows well in warm areas.
It likes shady spots in a garden. You can also grow it indoors in a place with moderate to bright light.
Naming the Native Gardenia
The History of Its Name
The Atractocarpus benthamianus was first described by a German scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He was a botanist for the state of Victoria. He named the plant after another botanist, George Bentham. George Bentham wrote an important book about Australian plants in 1870.
For many years, this plant was known as Randia benthamiana. But in 1999, two botanists, Christopher Puttock and Christopher Quinn, studied the plant again. They gave it its current scientific name, Atractocarpus benthamianus. It is often called the "native gardenia" because of its lovely flowers.
See also
In Spanish: Atractocarpus benthamianus para niños
