Calothamnus scabridus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus scabridus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calothamnus
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| Species: |
scabridus
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca scabrida (A.S.George) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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Calothamnus scabridus is a special kind of plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. You can only find it growing naturally in the southwest part of Western Australia. It's a shrub, which means it's a bushy plant, and it has thin, pointy leaves that feel a bit rough. Its flowers are usually red and have four groups of stamens, which are the parts of the flower that make pollen.
In 2014, some scientists suggested that this plant should be called Melaleuca rosea instead.
What it Looks Like
Calothamnus scabridus is a shrub that grows straight up. It can reach a height of about 1.5 metres (5 ft), which is about as tall as a person.
Its leaves are like needles, usually between 20–70 millimetres (0.8–3 in) long and very thin, about 0.8–1.0 millimetre (0.03–0.04 in) wide. They feel rough to the touch and are round if you cut them in half. Each leaf gets thinner towards the end, finishing with a sharp, prickly tip.
The flowers have four sepals (small leaf-like parts at the base of the flower) and four petals. They grow in small groups, either hidden among the older leaves or on older parts of the stem that have lost their leaves. The base of the flower, called the hypanthium, is partly hidden in the plant's thick, corky bark.
The stamens, which are the parts that hold the pollen, are usually pink or bright red. They are grouped together in four bundles that look a bit like claws. Each bundle is about 23–28 millimetres (0.9–1 in) long. The petals of the flower are about 6–7 millimetres (0.2–0.3 in) long.
This plant usually flowers from October to December. After the flowers, it produces fruits. These fruits are smooth, woody, and round, like small balls. They are called capsules and are about 3–4 millimetres (0.1–0.2 in) long.
How it Got its Name
The plant Calothamnus scabridus was first officially described in 2010 by a scientist named Alex George. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. He found a sample of the plant near a town called Manjimup.
The second part of its scientific name, scabridus, comes from a Latin word. It means "rough," which describes how the leaves feel.
Where it Grows
You can find Calothamnus scabridus growing north of Denmark. This area is part of the Jarrah Forest region. It prefers to grow in soil that is rich and clay-like, which comes from granite rock.
Looking After It
The government department in Western Australia that looks after parks and wildlife has given Calothamnus scabridus a special rating: "Priority Two." This means that not much is known about this plant, and it's only found in a few places. However, some of these places are in protected areas, which helps keep the plant safe.
