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Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper facts for kids

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Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper
Calothamnus quadrifidus asper (leaves, flowers).JPG
Calothamnus quadrifidus asper leaves and flowers
Conservation status

Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Calothamnus
Species:
Subspecies:
C. q. subsp. asper
Trinomial name
Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper
(Turcz.) A.S.George & N.Gibson
Synonyms

Melaleuca quadrifida subsp. aspera (Turcz.) Craven & R.D.Edwards

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like myrtle trees. This plant only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. It is very similar to other plants in the Calothamnus quadrifidus group. But this one has short, flat leaves that feel rough and scaly when they are fully grown.

What Does This Plant Look Like?

Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper is a shrub that grows upright. It can sometimes reach a height of about 4 meters (13 feet). This plant does not have a special woody base called a lignotuber. Its leaves are flat and shaped like a narrow egg. They are about 10 to 23 millimeters (0.4 to 0.9 inches) long and 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) wide. The leaves also feel rough and scaly, and they have a few scattered hairs.

The flowers of this plant are a deep red color. They grow in groups, usually on one side of the stem. You can find them among the older leaves. The stamens, which are the parts that make pollen, are grouped into 4 bundles. Each bundle looks a bit like a claw and is about 23 to 28 millimeters (0.9 to 1.1 inches) long. This plant usually flowers from August to September. After the flowers, it grows woody, barrel-shaped fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are about 10 to 14 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long.

Calothamnus quadrifidus asper (habit)
Calothamnus quadrifidus asper growing near Wongan Hills

How Did It Get Its Name?

The scientific name Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper was officially described in 2010. This was done by a scientist named Alex George in a journal called Nuytsia. However, the plant was first described way back in 1849 by Nikolai Turczaninow. He called it Calothamnus asper. The word asper comes from Latin. It means "rough," "harsh," or "uneven," which describes the plant's leaves.

Where Does It Grow?

You can find Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper in the Wongan Hills area. This area is part of the Avon Wheatbelt region in Western Australia.

Is It Protected?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. asper a "Priority Two" classification. This means that not much is known about this plant. It has been found in fewer than five different places, so it needs to be watched carefully.

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