Calytrix violacea facts for kids

Calytrix violacea is a beautiful plant that belongs to the Myrtaceae family, also known as the myrtle family. This family includes many well-known plants like eucalyptus and tea trees. This particular plant is endemic to Western Australia. This means it grows naturally only in Western Australia and nowhere else in the world!

What is Calytrix violacea?

This plant is a type of shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.15 to 0.45 meters (or 0.5 to 1.5 feet) tall. Imagine a plant that's roughly knee-high to waist-high!

Its Flowers

Calytrix violacea is known for its lovely flowers. They typically bloom between August and November. These flowers are star-shaped and come in shades of purple, blue, and violet. They add a splash of color to the landscape.

Where Does It Grow?

You can find Calytrix violacea growing in the central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It likes to grow on flat plains and on granite hills. The plant prefers sandy loam soils, which are a mix of sand, silt, and clay. This type of soil helps the plant get the right amount of water and nutrients.

How Was It Discovered?

The first time this plant was officially described was in 1839. A botanist named John Lindley gave it the name Lhotskya violacea. He wrote about it in his book, A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.

Later, in 1987, another botanist named Lyndley Craven studied the plant again. He decided it fit better into the genus Calytrix. So, he reclassified it, giving it the name Calytrix violacea that we use today. He published his findings in a science journal called Brunonia.