Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius |
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| Conservation status | |
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. teretifolius
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| Trinomial name | |
| Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius A.S.George & N.Gibson
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca quadrifida subsp. teretifolia (A.S.George & N.Gibson) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius is a special plant that belongs to the myrtle family. It's found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a type of Calothamnus quadrifidus, but it has its own unique features. For example, its leaves are smooth and round like a pencil, without any hairs.
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What Does This Plant Look Like?
Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius is a shrub that stands upright. It can sometimes grow as tall as 5 metres (20 ft), which is about the height of a small tree!
Its Leaves
The leaves of this plant are long and thin. They are round when you look at them from the side, like a small tube. These leaves are also glabrous, which means they are completely smooth and do not have any hairs. They usually measure about 15–35 millimetres (0.6–1 in) long and 0.6–1.0 millimetre (0.02–0.04 in) wide.
Its Flowers
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 stamens (the parts of the flower that make pollen) are grouped together in four parts that look like claws. Each of these claw-like bundles is about 26–29 millimetres (1.0–1.1 in) long.
When It Flowers and Fruits
You can see this plant flowering from September to December. After the flowers bloom, they turn into woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are about 6.5–9 millimetres (0.3–0.4 in) long.
How This Plant Got Its Name
The scientific name Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius was officially described in 2010. It was named by a scientist named Alex George. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant was first found near a place called the Whicher Scarp.
Meaning of teretifolius
The special part of its name, teretifolius, comes from two Latin words. Teres means "round" or "cylindrical," and folium means "a leaf." So, the name describes its round, smooth leaves!
Where This Plant Lives
Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius is found in Western Australia. It grows inland from a town called Busselton. You can find it in areas known as the Jarrah Forest and the Swan Coastal Plain.
Its Favorite Home
This plant likes to grow in clay soil. It prefers areas that are wet during the winter months. It often grows in shrubland, which is a type of habitat with many shrubs and bushes.
Protecting This Plant
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of special plants like this one. Calothamnus quadrifidus subsp. teretifolius is currently listed as "Priority Four." This means it is rare or could become threatened in the future. Protecting its habitat helps make sure it can continue to grow and thrive.
