Bearded Tylophora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bearded Tylophora |
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Tylophora
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T. barbata
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| Tylophora barbata |
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The Bearded Tylophora, also known as Tylophora barbata, is a small vine. It belongs to the dogbane family. This plant is commonly found in southeastern Australia. You can see it in rainforests and damp eucalyptus forests.
This vine is often found south of Bulahdelah, New South Wales. Its flowers are dark red and about 7 mm long. They grow on thin stalks. If you break a branch, you might see watery or milky sap come out.
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What is the Bearded Tylophora?
The Bearded Tylophora is a type of vine that can grow quite long. It often climbs up trees or twists around its own branches. It can reach lengths of 2 to 3 meters.
What does it look like?
The stems and leaves of this vine are smooth. If you break them, a clear sap comes out. Its leaves are light green and shaped like an oval or a spear. They are about 2.5 to 6 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide. These leaves sit on small stalks that are 1 to 2 cm long.
When does it flower?
The Bearded Tylophora flowers from November to May. Its small flowers can be maroon, purple, or brown. They are about 0.5 to 0.8 cm across. After flowering, the plant produces fruit within two to three months.
Where does the Bearded Tylophora grow?
You can find Tylophora barbata from Bulahdelah, New South Wales all the way south into northeastern Victoria. It is the only plant of its kind in the Sydney area. You can spot it in places like the Royal National Park and near Mount Tomah in the Blue Mountains.
This vine likes to grow in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests. It especially prefers wet spots like gullies.
How was it named?
The Bearded Tylophora was first described in science in 1810. A Scottish botanist named Robert Brown gave it its scientific name, Tylophora barbata.
The name Tylophora comes from Ancient Greek words. Tylos means "knot," and phoros means "bearing." This refers to the plant's swollen parts inside the flower. The word Barbata comes from Latin and means "bearded." This likely refers to the seeds, which might look like they have a beard.
Can you grow Bearded Tylophora?
Yes, the Bearded Tylophora can grow well in gardens. It likes soil that drains water easily. You can grow new plants from seeds or by taking cuttings from an existing plant. It can also be used as a groundcover plant.
