Desert rock-myrtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert rock-myrtle |
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| Baeckea polystemonea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Baeckea
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| Species: |
polystemonea
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The Baeckea polystemonea, also known as the desert rock-myrtle, is a special kind of shrub. You can find this plant growing in the middle parts of Australia. It's a tough plant that thrives in dry, rocky areas.
Contents
What Does the Desert Rock-Myrtle Look Like?
This shrub has many stems and usually grows to be about 0.5 to 2.5 metres (1.6 to 8.2 ft) tall. That's like a small tree or a very tall bush! It has smooth, grey bark on its stems.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the desert rock-myrtle grow in pairs, one across from the other. They are long and narrow, or sometimes a bit oval-shaped. Each leaf is quite small, only about 2 to 8 millimetres (0.08 to 0.31 in) long.
This plant puts on a beautiful show of pink and white flowers. It blooms during the cooler months, usually between April and August.
Where Does the Desert Rock-Myrtle Grow?
The desert rock-myrtle lives in the dry, central parts of Australia. It likes to grow on sandy plains and rocky hillsides.
Its Home in Australia
You can find it in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It grows close to the border with South Australia and the Northern Territory. It also spreads into the southern areas of the Northern Territory. This plant prefers sandy soils that are thin and sit over hard rock like quartzite.
Who Discovered This Plant?
The desert rock-myrtle was first officially described by a famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He was a scientist who studied plants.
Its Scientific Name
Ferdinand von Mueller wrote about this plant in 1861. He included it in his important book called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. This is how the plant got its scientific name, Baeckea polystemonea.
