Barrens regelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrens regelia |
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| Regelia velutina in the Peter Francis Points Arboretum, Coleraine, Victoria | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Regelia
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| Species: |
velutina
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca velutina (Turcz.) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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The Barrens regelia, also known as Regelia velutina, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the myrtle family called Myrtaceae. This plant grows naturally only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a big bush, sometimes even a small tree. It has soft, grey-green leaves that feel like velvet. In spring and summer, it shows off large groups of bright red or orange flowers at the ends of its branches.
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What Does Barrens Regelia Look Like?
The Barrens regelia is usually a large bush. It can sometimes grow into a small tree, reaching up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. It has long, straight stems. Its leaves are about 13 millimeters (half an inch) long. They are arranged in a special way, in pairs that cross each other. This makes them form four neat rows along the stems.
The flowers are usually reddish-orange, but sometimes they can be yellow. They grow in round clusters at the tips of the branches. Even after the flowers bloom, the branches keep growing. Each flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, and 5 groups of stamens. The plant flowers from September to November, and sometimes even into February. After flowering, it produces woody seed pods called capsules.
How It Got Its Name
The Barrens regelia was first officially described in 1852. A Russian botanist named Nikolai Turczaninow gave it the name Beaufortia velutina. Later, in 1964, an Australian botanist named Charles Austin Gardner moved it to the genus Regelia. The second part of its name, velutina, comes from a Latin word meaning "velvety." This describes its soft, fuzzy leaves.
Where Barrens Regelia Grows
Regelia velutina grows in sandy soil. It likes rocky areas in the Avon Wheatbelt and Esperance Plains regions of Western Australia. These are special areas known for their unique plants and animals. The Government of Western Australia says this plant is "not threatened," which means it is not in danger of disappearing.
Growing Barrens Regelia in Gardens
Even though the Barrens regelia has pretty leaves and flowers, it's not often grown in gardens. It doesn't grow well in places that have a lot of rain and humidity in the summer. In drier areas, it needs soil that drains water away easily. It's quite simple to grow new plants from its seeds. However, if you use misting systems to grow them, the leaves might rot. Scientists have even looked into whether it could be grown to sell as a Christmas flower.
