Calectasia narragara facts for kids
Calectasia narragara, often called the blue tinsel lily or star of Bethlehem, is a beautiful plant found only in the southwest part of Western Australia. It's a type of herb that grows in clumps and spreads underground using special stems called rhizomes. This plant is quite common in the areas where it lives.
Quick facts for kids Calectasia narragara |
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| Calectasia narragara young flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calectasia
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| Species: |
narragara
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Contents
What Does the Blue Tinsel Lily Look Like?
The blue tinsel lily is a small plant, growing up to about 50 centimetres (20 in) (about 20 inches) tall. It has many short side branches. Its roots are thin and help hold the sand around them.
Leaves and Petals
Each leaf is smooth and shiny, usually 4.2–14.5 millimetres (0.2–0.6 in) long and 0.4–1.0 millimetre (0.02–0.04 in) wide. They taper to a sharp point. The plant's petals (which are technically called tepals) form a tube about 8.9–10.2 millimetres (0.35–0.40 in) long. This tube is smooth, unlike some other plants in its group.
Flower Colors
The outer parts of the petals are a bright blue with bronze edges. They spread out like a star. As the flower gets older, these blue parts fade to white. In the middle of the star, there are six yellow parts called stamens. These stamens turn orange-red as the flower ages. A thin stalk, called a style, sometimes sticks out past the stamens.
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How to Identify It
This plant looks similar to other Calectasia species. You can tell it apart because it has a short, thick rhizome (underground stem) and no stilt roots. Also, its leaves are smooth, and the petals and stamens change color as they get older. These flowers usually bloom from June to September.
How Was This Plant Named?
Calectasia narragara is one of eleven species in the Calectasia group of plants. It was first officially described as a new species in 2001. Two scientists, R.L. Barrett and K.W. Dixon, gave it its name after finding a sample in Kings Park.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its scientific name, narragara, comes from the Nyoongar language. It means "star." This name was chosen because the plant is often called the "Star of Bethlehem" due to its star-like flower shape.
Where Does the Blue Tinsel Lily Grow?
This type of blue tinsel lily is very common and can be found across a wide area. It grows within 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) of the coast in Western Australia. You can find it from Busselton in the south up to Geraldton in the north.
Its Favorite Places
It grows in many different types of environments. These include sandy areas called kwongan, woodlands with white, grey, or yellow sand, and sometimes even in swampy places.
Is the Blue Tinsel Lily Endangered?
Good news! Calectasia narragara is currently classified as not threatened. This means it is not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
