Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Calothamnus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. q. subsp. petraeus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus A.S.George & N.Gibson
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca quadrifida subsp. petraea (A.S.George & N.Gibson) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus is a special type of plant. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, also known as the myrtle family. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
It looks a lot like other plants in the Calothamnus quadrifidus group. However, Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus has unique leaves that are long and narrow. They can also feel a bit rough or scaly. Its special flower parts, called stamen bundles, are also quite long.
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Discovering This Unique Plant
This plant is a type of shrub that can grow straight up or spread out. It can reach a height of about 2.5 metres (8 ft), which is like being as tall as a small tree! Unlike some plants, it does not have a lignotuber. A lignotuber is a woody lump at the base of some plants that helps them regrow after a fire.
What Do Its Leaves Look Like?
The leaves of Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus grow very close together. They are flat and narrow, usually about 10–23 millimetres (0.4–0.9 in) long. That's roughly the length of your thumbnail! They are also very thin, about 0.9–1.1 millimetres (0.035–0.043 in) wide. When the leaves are fully grown, they can be covered with soft, long hairs or feel rough and scaly.
What Do Its Flowers Look Like?
The flowers of this plant are a bright red color. They grow in groups, often on just one side of the stem. You'll usually find them among the older leaves. The most interesting part of the flower is its stamens. Stamens are the parts of a flower that produce pollen. For this plant, the stamens are grouped into four bundles that look like claws. Each bundle is about 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.2 in) long.
The outside of the flower's cup, called the hypanthium, and its small leaf-like parts, called sepals, are usually hairy. This plant mostly blooms from August to October. After the flowers, it grows woody, round fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are about 10–11 millimetres (0.39–0.43 in) long when they are ready.
How This Plant Got Its Name
The scientific name Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus was officially given to this plant in 2010. It was named by a scientist named Alex George. He described it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The name was based on a plant sample found near Yellowdine.
The word petraeus in its name comes from Greek. It means "rocky." This name was chosen because this plant is often found growing on rocky areas.
Where Does This Plant Live?
Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus grows in a specific part of Western Australia. You can find it in the area between Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, Merredin, and Yellowdine. This region includes areas known as the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, and Mallee.
This plant likes to grow in sandy soil. This sand often comes from rocks like granite or quartzite.
Is This Plant Safe?
The good news is that Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. petraeus is not considered to be in danger. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "not threatened." This means there are enough of these plants in the wild, and they are not at risk of disappearing.
