Banksia rufistylis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banksia rufistylis |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Banksia
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| Species: |
rufistylis
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| Synonyms | |
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Dryandra rufistylis A.S.George |
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The Banksia rufistylis is a special type of shrub found only in Western Australia. It grows in a column shape. This plant has long, thin leaves with sharp, pointy edges. Its flowers are creamy-yellow and have a bright red style, which is a part of the flower. These flowers grow in groups of about forty. After flowering, it produces egg-shaped fruits called follicles with a flat top.
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What Banksia rufistylis Looks Like
Banksia rufistylis is a shrub that usually grows up to about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. It has a unique column shape. Unlike some other plants, it does not have a special woody base called a lignotuber that helps it regrow after a fire.
Its leaves are long and narrow, measuring about 40 to 100 millimeters (1.5 to 4 inches) in length and 4 to 10 millimeters (0.15 to 0.4 inches) wide. They grow on a hairy stem part called a petiole, which can be up to 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) long. Each side of the leaves has five to ten sharp, pointed teeth, up to 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long.
The flowers of Banksia rufistylis grow directly on the stem without a stalk. They form dense heads with about thirty-five to forty flowers in each group. The flowers are creamy-yellow or yellow. Each flower's outer parts, called the perianth, are about 14 to 18 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long. The pistil, which is the female part of the flower, is red and curves downwards. It measures about 18 to 22 millimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) long.
This plant blooms from July to August. After the flowers fade, they turn into fruits called follicles. These follicles are slightly hairy, about 7 to 9 millimeters (0.27 to 0.35 inches) long, and have a flattened tip.
How Banksia rufistylis Got Its Name
The scientific name of a plant helps us identify it. This plant was first officially described in 1996 by a scientist named Alex George. He named it Dryandra rufistylis. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia after finding it near a place called Woodanilling.
Later, in 2007, two other scientists, Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele, decided to move all plants from the Dryandra group into the Banksia group. This is why the plant's name changed to Banksia rufistylis.
Where Banksia rufistylis Lives
Banksia rufistylis grows in specific areas of Western Australia. You can find it in a type of shrubland called kwongan, which is a unique plant community. It also grows in woodlands. These areas are located between the towns of Woodanilling, Nyabing, and Tarin Rock districts.
Protecting Banksia rufistylis
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants that need protection. Banksia rufistylis is listed as "Priority Two".
What does "Priority Two" mean? It means that not much is known about this plant. It has only been found in one or a few places. This makes it important to protect these areas so the plant can continue to grow and thrive.
