Australian bluebell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian bluebell |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Wahlenbergia
|
| Species: |
gracilis
|
The Australian bluebell, also known as the tall bluebell or austral bluebell, is a beautiful wildflower found across Australia. Its scientific name is Wahlenbergia stricta. This plant belongs to the Campanulaceae family, which is a group of plants often called the bellflower family.
You can find the Australian bluebell in all Australian states except the Northern Territory. It's one of the most common bluebells you'll see. Often, it grows along roadsides, where it gets extra water from rain runoff.
Wahlenbergia stricta is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and doesn't have a woody stem like a tree. It usually flowers in spring or summer. Its flowers are pale blue and shaped like bells. The leaves are long and thin, measuring about 5 to 70 millimeters (0.2 to 2.8 inches) long. Each flower has five petals and stands upright on a long, thin stem. They are about 6 to 20 millimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches) wide. This plant also grows thin, carrot-shaped tubers underground, which help it store food.
Contents
Growing Australian Bluebells
Australian bluebells are quite easy to grow. You can start new plants in a few ways.
How to Grow New Plants
One way to grow new bluebells is by dividing the plant or taking root cuttings. This means you can split an existing plant into smaller parts or use pieces of its roots to grow new ones.
You can also grow them from seeds. The seeds are very tiny, like fine black powder. They usually sprout within a few weeks. It's best to plant these seeds directly into small pots or trays. This is because the seeds and young plants are so small that it's hard to move them once they start growing.
Different Types of Bluebells
There are many different types, or "cultivars," of Australian bluebells. These can have various shades of blue flowers, from very bright blue to white. Some even have "double forms," which means they have extra petals, making the flowers look fuller. If you want to keep a specific type of bluebell, like one with a special color, you need to grow it from cuttings or by dividing the plant. Growing from seeds might produce plants that are slightly different from the parent plant.
Caring for Your Bluebell Plant
Once an Australian bluebell plant is settled, it's very tough. Even if its pot dries out completely and the plant seems to shrink down to just its underground tuber, it will often grow back when it rains again. These plants can grow well in many different types of soil, from sandy soil to gravel, clay, or soil rich in humus.
Images for kids
-
Australian bluebell flower
