Calothamnus pachystachyus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus pachystachyus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calothamnus
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| Species: |
pachystachyus
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca pachystachya (Benth.) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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Calothamnus pachystachyus is a special plant from the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a shrub that stands tall and has many branches. It has thick bark, flat leaves, and pretty red flowers that bloom in spring.
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What Does Calothamnus pachystachyus Look Like?
Calothamnus pachystachyus is a shrub that can grow up to about 5.6 feet (1.7 meters) tall. It often looks a bit straggly. Its bark is thick and feels like cork, and it's also quite hairy.
The leaves of this plant grow close together. They are flat and long, usually between 3 and 6 inches (80 to 150 millimeters) in length. Each leaf has one main vein running down the middle.
The flowers are a mix of red, black, and brown. When the plant flowers, the bottom part of the flower (called the hypanthium) is hidden inside the corky bark. There are four small petals. The stamens, which are the parts that make pollen, are grouped into four bundles that look like claws. The top two bundles are wide and flat, while the bottom ones are narrow and don't have pollen. Each stamen bundle has 15 to 20 or even more individual stamens. This plant flowers from August to October. After flowering, it produces woody capsules, which are like seed pods, partly buried in the bark.
How It Got Its Name
The plant Calothamnus pachystachyus was first officially described in 1867. This was done by a scientist named George Bentham in his book Flora Australiensis.
The second part of its name, pachystachyus, comes from two Ancient Greek words. Pakhús means "thick," and stachys means "a spike." So, its name describes its thick, spike-like features.
Where Does Calothamnus pachystachyus Live?
You can find Calothamnus pachystachyus in Western Australia. It grows near the edges of three special areas: the Avon Wheatbelt, the Jarrah Forest, and the Swan Coastal Plain. It likes to grow in soils that come from a type of rock called laterite, often found on ridges and along roadsides.
Is Calothamnus pachystachyus Protected?
The Western Australian government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Calothamnus pachystachyus a "Priority Four" rating. This means the plant is rare or almost threatened. It's important to protect these plants so they don't disappear.
