Calothamnus glaber facts for kids

Calothamnus glaber is a type of plant that belongs to the Myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It grows only in specific areas near the coast in the southwest part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that region.

This plant is a shrub. It looks a bit like another plant called Calothamnus blepharospermus. However, Calothamnus glaber has leaves that are a little longer and thinner. Also, the parts of its flowers are glabrous, which means they are smooth and do not have any hairs.

What Does Calothamnus glaber Look Like?

Calothamnus glaber is a shrub that can grow to be about 2–3 metres (7–10 ft) tall. Its leaves are 50–75 millimetres (2.0–3.0 in) long and about 6 millimetres (0.2 in) wide. They are shaped like a very narrow egg, with the narrow end at the bottom. The other end tapers to a sharp point.

The Flowers and Fruits of Calothamnus glaber

The flowers of this plant are bright red. They grow in small groups among the older leaves, mostly on one side of the stem. The outer edge of the flower cup, called the hypanthium, and the sepals (which are like small leaves protecting the flower bud) are smooth and hairless.

The petals are about 2.5–3 millimetres (0.098–0.12 in) long and have a jagged edge. The stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen, are arranged in bundles that look like claws. These bundles are about 22–25 millimetres (0.87–0.98 in) long. After the plant flowers, it produces woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are about 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) long.

How Calothamnus glaber Got Its Name

The plant was first officially described in 1867 by a scientist named George Bentham. Later, in 2010, another scientist named Alex George changed its classification. He decided that it should be a separate species, not just a variety of another plant.

The specific name, glaber, comes from a Latin word. It means "without hair" or "smooth." This name was chosen because, as you learned, parts of its flowers are smooth.

Where Does Calothamnus glaber Grow?

Calothamnus glaber is found in several different biogeographic regions in Western Australia. These areas include the Avon Wheatbelt, Carnarvon, Geraldton Sandplains, Swan Coastal Plain, and Yalgoo.

Is Calothamnus glaber Endangered?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Calothamnus glaber. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means the plant is not currently in danger of disappearing.