Calothamnus torulosus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calothamnus torulosus |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calothamnus
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| Species: |
torulosus
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Calothamnus torulosus is a cool plant from the Myrtaceae family, also known as the myrtle family. It only grows in the southwest part of Western Australia. This plant is a shrub that can stand tall or spread out on the ground. It has leaves that look a bit like pine needles. Its flowers are usually red and have four parts. It's quite similar to another plant called Calothamnus sanguineus. However, Calothamnus torulosus has bigger seed pods.
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What Does This Plant Look Like?
Calothamnus torulosus usually grows to be about 0.4 meters (about 1.3 feet) tall. Its leaves are shaped like circles if you cut them across. They are usually between 20 and 50 millimeters (about 0.8 to 2 inches) long. Sometimes, these leaves might have a few tiny hairs on them.
Flowers and Their Colors
The flowers of this plant are often bright red. Sometimes, they can be a shade of green or even a deep scarlet. Each flower has four petals. It also has four claw-like groups of stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. The top two "claws" are wide and flat. They might even be joined together for some of their length. Unlike some other plants in its group, the flowers and fruits of Calothamnus torulosus are never hidden inside corky bark.
When It Flowers and What Comes Next
This plant usually blooms from September to October. After the flowers, it grows woody, round seed pods. These pods are called capsules. They have four parts that stick out and are quite thick. Each pod is about 15 millimeters (about 0.6 inches) long and wide.
Plant Name and History
The scientific name Calothamnus torulosus was first officially written down in 1843. This was done by a scientist named Johannes Schauer. He described it in a book called Dissertatio phytographica de Regelia, Beaufortia et Calothamno. The plant he studied was found near a place called Maddington, which is now a suburb of Perth. It was found "at the top of the hill at the foot of the mountains of the Darling Range".
What Does "Torulosus" Mean?
The second part of the plant's name, torulosus, comes from a Latin word. The word torosus means "bulging," "muscular," "fleshy," or "lusty." This probably describes the shape of its seed pods.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
Calothamnus torulosus can be found in Western Australia. It grows in an area stretching from Perth up to a town called Eneabba. This area includes different natural regions like the Geraldton Sandplains, the Jarrah Forest, and the Swan Coastal Plain. You can find it growing in sandy soil and on rocky ground that comes from granite.
Is This Plant Safe?
The Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Calothamnus torulosus. They have decided that this plant is "not threatened." This means there are plenty of them, and they are not in danger of disappearing.
