Calothamnus aridus facts for kids

Calothamnus aridus is a special plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It is only found in the central parts of Western Australia. This plant is a tall, bushy shrub with many stems. It has leaves that look like needles and pretty orange-red to pinkish flowers. You can find it growing in dry areas, often near a type of spiky grass called spinifex.

What Does Calothamnus aridus Look Like?

Calothamnus aridus can grow up to about 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall. It has many stems and lots of branches, making it a very bushy plant. Its leaves are shaped like needles. They are usually about 7 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. The leaves also have tiny spots called oil glands.

The flowers of this plant grow in bunches or loose groups on the younger stems. Each group can have up to 10 flowers. The flowers have five thin petals that are shaped like an egg and are slightly curved. These petals are covered with tiny hairs. The parts of the flower that make pollen are called stamens. They are grouped into five bundles, each looking a bit like a claw. Each bundle has 10 to 12 stamens. The stamens are orange to red at the bottom and pinkish-red near their ends. They have yellow tips called anthers. Calothamnus aridus flowers bloom between August and October. After flowering, the plant produces hard, woody seed pods. These pods are about 4 to 8 millimeters (0.16 to 0.31 inches) long. They are shaped like flattened balls.

How It Got Its Name

The plant Calothamnus aridus was first officially described in 1984. A scientist named Trevor Hawkeswood found a sample of it near Wiluna, Western Australia. The second part of its name, aridus, comes from a Latin word. It means "dry," which makes sense because this plant grows in dry places.

In 2014, some scientists suggested changing its name to Melaleuca arida. However, this new name is not currently accepted by the main group that lists Australian plants.

Where It Grows

Calothamnus aridus is found in central Western Australia. It grows in areas like Paynes Find, Sandstone, and Wiluna. These areas include different natural regions such as the Avon Wheatbelt and the Little Sandy Desert. The plant likes to grow in woodlands and sandy plains. It is often found growing alongside different types of spinifex grass.

Is It Protected?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Calothamnus aridus is "not threatened." This means there are enough of these plants, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.