Calothamnus blepharospermus facts for kids

Calothamnus blepharospermus is a cool plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. You can only find it growing naturally along the west coast of Western Australia. It's a bushy shrub that stands tall and spreads out, showing off bright red flowers in the summer. This plant loves to grow in sandy soil in a special kind of scrubland called kwongan.

What Does It Look Like?

Calothamnus blepharospermus is a shrub that can grow about 2 to 3 meters (6.5 to 10 feet) tall. Its leaves are quite long, usually between 38 and 76 millimeters (1.5 to 3 inches). They are also narrow, about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. The leaves are shaped like a very thin egg, with the narrow end at the bottom and a sharp point at the top.

The flowers are bright red. They have special parts called stamens, which are arranged in five groups. Each group is about 30 to 40 millimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. The outside of the petals, the flower stalk, and the base of the flower are all very hairy. This plant usually blooms in January and February, or sometimes in July. After the flowers, it grows woody fruits called capsules, which are about 25 millimeters (1 inch) long.

How It Got Its Name

The plant Calothamnus blepharospermus was first officially described in 1862. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller wrote about it after a specimen was found near the Murchison River.

The second part of its name, blepharospermus, comes from two ancient Greek words. Blepharon means "eyelid," and sperma means "seed."

Where Does It Grow?

You can find Calothamnus blepharospermus in certain areas of Western Australia. These areas are called the Geraldton Sandplains and Yalgoo regions. It likes to grow in sand or sandy clay soils, often on flat plains or sand dunes.

Is It Safe?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Calothamnus blepharospermus is "not threatened." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.