Calothamnus arcuatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus arcuatus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calothamnus
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| Species: |
arcuatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca arcuata (A.S.George) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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Calothamnus arcuatus is a special plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It grows only in the southwestern part of Western Australia, which means it's endemic to that area. This shrub has unique, prickly leaves that are shaped like needles and curve slightly upwards. Its bright red flowers grow in small groups close to the older leaves.
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What Does Calothamnus arcuatus Look Like?
This plant, Calothamnus arcuatus, can grow to be about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and wide. It has a special underground swelling called a lignotuber. This helps the plant survive fires, as new shoots can grow from it.
Its leaves look like needles. They are usually 2 to 5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.2 inches) long and 0.7 to 1.1 millimeters (0.03 to 0.04 inches) wide. They are round and pointy at the end. The leaves are smooth, meaning they have no hairs. They spread out from the stem and curve a little bit upwards.
The flowers are a bright red color. They grow in small groups among the older leaves. The outer part of the flower cup and the sepals (small leaf-like parts that protect the bud) are covered with soft hairs. The petals are about 2.5 to 3 millimeters (0.1 to 0.12 inches) long and have a jagged edge. The stamens (the parts that produce pollen) are grouped together like claws and are 22 to 25 millimeters (0.87 to 0.98 inches) long.
Calothamnus arcuatus flowers in autumn and early winter. After flowering, it produces woody, round fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) long.
How Did Calothamnus arcuatus Get Its Name?
The plant Calothamnus arcuatus was first officially described in 2010 by a scientist named Alex George. He found a sample of the plant near a place called Eneabba. The word arcuatus comes from Latin. It means "curved like a bow," which refers to the slightly curved shape of the plant's leaves.
Where Does Calothamnus arcuatus Live?
Calothamnus arcuatus grows in two different areas in Western Australia. One area is northeast of Eneabba, and the other is northeast of Arrino. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains regions. The plant likes to grow in sandy soil, sometimes with lateritic gravel, on sandplains and ridges.
Is Calothamnus arcuatus Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Calothamnus arcuatus as "Priority Two." This means that not much is known about this plant, and it is found in only one or a few locations. This classification helps to show that the plant needs to be watched and protected.
