Boronia coriacea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boronia coriacea |
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Boronia coriacea is a special plant found only in a small part of Western Australia. It belongs to the citrus family, called Rutaceae. This plant is a small shrub with unique leaves and pretty pink flowers.
What it Looks Like
Boronia coriacea is a small shrub that usually grows up to about 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall. Its stems, leaves, and flowers are mostly smooth, meaning they don't have many hairs.
The leaves are "pinnate," which means they look a bit like a feather. Each leaf has three or five smaller, leathery parts called leaflets. These leaflets are shaped like a wedge, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. They are about 12 millimeters (half an inch) long.
The flowers are pink and grow in small groups at the ends of the branches. Each flower has four small, egg-shaped parts called sepals at its base. It also has four egg-shaped petals, which are about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long. Inside the flower, there are eight stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. This plant usually blooms in April or from October to November.
Its Name and History
The plant Boronia coriacea was first officially described in 1971. A scientist named Paul G. Wilson gave it its name. He published his description in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant he studied was found near Israelite Bay in Western Australia.
The second part of its name, coriacea, comes from a Latin word. It means "leathery," which describes the feel of its leaves.
Where it Lives
This type of boronia plant is only known to grow in the area where it was first discovered. It likes to grow in "heath" areas, which are open lands with many small shrubs. It also grows in "mallee" areas, which are places with a certain type of eucalyptus tree that grows like a bush.
Looking After it
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Boronia coriacea a special status called "Priority Two". This means that scientists don't know a lot about this plant yet. It's only found in a few places, but it's not in immediate danger of disappearing. Still, it's important to keep an eye on it to make sure it stays safe.
