Calothamnus roseus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus roseus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calothamnus
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| Species: |
roseus
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Calothamnus roseus is a special plant from the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like eucalyptus. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a shrub with thin, spiky leaves and pretty pink flowers. Each flower has four groups of stamens, which are the parts that make pollen.
What it Looks Like
Calothamnus roseus is a shrub that can grow up to about 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) tall. Its leaves are shaped like needles. They are usually 25 to 45 millimeters (about 1 to 1.8 inches) long and very thin, like a tiny straw. The leaves are round when you look at them from the side. They also get narrower at the end, forming a sharp, prickly point.
The flowers of this plant have four sepals and four petals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. The base of the flower and the sepals are a bit hairy. The stamens, which are the parts that hold the pollen, are a deep pink color. They are grouped together in four claw-like bunches, each about 28 to 33 millimeters (about 1.1 to 1.3 inches) long. The petals are smaller, about 6 to 7 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) long.
This plant blooms from September to November. After the flowers, it grows smooth, woody fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 13 to 16 millimeters (about 0.5 to 0.6 inches) long.
How it Got its Name
The plant Calothamnus roseus was officially described in 2010 by a scientist named Alex George. He found a sample of it near a town called Ravensthorpe. The name roseus comes from a Latin word that means "rose-pink." This name was chosen because of the beautiful pink color of the flower's stamens.
Where it Grows
Calothamnus roseus is found only near Ravensthorpe in Western Australia. This area is part of a special natural region called the Esperance Plains. The plant likes to grow in rocky soil that comes from a type of rock called quartzite.
Protecting the Plant
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Calothamnus roseus a "Priority One" classification. This means that the plant is known to grow in only a few places. Because of this, it could be at risk and needs special protection to make sure it survives.
