Boronia defoliata facts for kids
Boronia defoliata is a special plant that belongs to the citrus family, called Rutaceae. It is found only in the south-western part of Western Australia. This plant is a bit like a spreading bush with thin, thread-like leaves. It has pretty white to pink flowers with four petals that look pale blue on the back.
Quick facts for kids Boronia defoliata |
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| Occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium |
Contents
What the Boronia Plant Looks Like
Boronia defoliata is a bushy plant with thin stems. It usually grows to be about 60 cm (20 in) tall. Its branches and leaves are smooth and do not have any hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are simple, meaning they are not divided into smaller parts. They are often thin and long, like threads, and are about 5 mm (0.2 in) long. Sometimes, these leaves fall off early.
The flowers grow in groups at the ends of the branches. They also appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk, about 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long.
Each flower has four broad, egg-shaped parts called sepals. These are tough and about 2 mm (0.08 in) long. There are also four oval-shaped petals. These petals are white to pink on the top side. On the underside, they are pale blue with a darker stripe. The petals are about 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long.
Inside the flower, there are eight stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. These stamens have soft, woolly hairs. The style is thin, and the stigma (the part that collects pollen) is very tiny. This plant usually blooms from September to October.
How the Boronia Got its Name
The plant Boronia defoliata was first officially described in 1875. This description was made by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He published his findings in a book called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. The very first sample of this plant used for its description was collected by James Drummond.
Where the Boronia Plant Grows
This type of boronia plant likes to grow in sandy soil, gravel, and a reddish soil called laterite. You can find it in Western Australia, specifically between the towns of Capel and Manjimup. It grows in several different natural areas, including the Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren regions.
Is the Boronia Plant Safe?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Boronia defoliata. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means the plant is not currently in danger of disappearing.
