Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus |
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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. quadrifidus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus |
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca quadrifida subsp. quadrifida (R.Br.) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus is a type of plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant only grows naturally in the southwest part of Western Australia. It looks a lot like other types of Calothamnus quadrifidus. But this one has leaves that are round, like a tube. Its leaves and the cup-shaped part of its flower, called the hypanthium, often have soft, long hairs. Another similar type, teretifolius, has smooth leaves and hypanthium.
What it Looks Like
Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus is a shrub. It can grow straight up or spread out. Sometimes, it reaches about 3 meters (10 feet) tall.
Its leaves are long and thin. They are round when you look at them from the end. The leaves are usually 10 to 35 millimeters (0.4 to 1.4 inches) long. They are also 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter (0.02 to 0.04 inches) wide. When the plant is young, its leaves often have long, silky hairs.
The flowers are red. They grow in groups, usually on one side of the stem. You can find them among the older leaves. The flower's cup-like base, the hypanthium, often has soft, silky hairs.
The plant's stamens are like four claws. Each claw is about 22 to 35 millimeters (0.9 to 1.4 inches) long. This plant mainly flowers from September to December. After flowering, it grows woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are 7 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long.
How it was Named
This plant, Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. quadrifidus, was first officially described in 2010. A botanist named Alex George wrote about it. He published his description in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
Where it Grows
This type of Calothamnus quadrifidus is very adaptable. It grows in many different places. You can find it across a wide area in Western Australia.
It grows in the western part of the Wheatbelt. It also reaches as far north as Northampton. You can find it inland near Mullewa and Hyden. It also grows as far south as Albany and Israelite Bay. This plant likes to grow in sand. It also grows in soils that come from granite or laterite rocks.
Conservation Status
The government of Western Australia has looked at this plant. The department of parks and wildlife says it is "not threatened." This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
