Boronia acanthoclada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boronia acanthoclada |
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Boronia acanthoclada is a special plant that belongs to the citrus family, called Rutaceae. It only grows in a small part of Western Australia, in the south-west. This plant is a short, prickly bush with tiny leaves and pretty white flowers that have four petals.
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What is Boronia acanthoclada?
Boronia acanthoclada is a small shrub, usually growing to about 0.3 m (1 ft) tall. It has branches that spread out and small, spiny twigs.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are shaped like a narrow egg and are about 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. You can often find them grouped together on the older parts of the plant.
The flowers are white and grow at the ends of short shoots. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk, called a pedicel, which is about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long.
Each flower has four sepals, which are like small, green leaves that protect the flower bud. These sepals are narrow, triangular, and smooth. They are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long.
The four petals are oval-shaped and about 4 mm (0.2 in) long. Inside the flower, there are eight stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen, and they are hairy. This plant usually blooms in September.
How Boronia acanthoclada Got Its Name
Boronia acanthoclada was officially described in 1998 by a scientist named Paul G. Wilson. He published his description in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its name, acanthoclada, comes from ancient Greek words. "Acantho-" means 'spiny', and "cladus" means 'a branch'. So, the name describes its spiny branches.
Where Boronia acanthoclada Lives
This boronia plant grows in sandy soil that has gravel underneath. So far, it has only been found in one place, which is where the first plant was collected. This location is in the Frank Hann National Park.
Protecting Boronia acanthoclada
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Boronia acanthoclada a special classification. It is listed as "Priority Two".
What Priority Two Means
Being "Priority Two" means that this plant is not very well known. It has only been found in one or a few places. This classification helps scientists and conservationists keep an eye on it and protect it.
