Carrick's mintbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carrick's mintbush |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prostanthera
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| Species: |
carrickiana
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Carrick's mintbush, also known by its scientific name Prostanthera carrickiana, is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family, called Lamiaceae. This plant is only found in a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It's a shrub that stands upright, has fuzzy stems, oval-shaped leaves, and pretty pinkish-red flowers.
Contents
What Does Carrick's Mintbush Look Like?
Carrick's mintbush is a shrub that grows straight up. It usually reaches a height of about 0.5 to 1 meter (about 1.5 to 3 feet). Its branches are round and covered in thick, soft hairs.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of this plant are shaped like an oval. They are smooth and don't have any hairs. Each leaf is about 13 to 14 millimeters long and 5.5 to 8 millimeters wide. They sit on a short stalk, called a petiole, which is less than 1 millimeter long.
Flowers and Petals
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. These flowers are found near the ends of the branches. Each flower has a small stalk, called a pedicel, about 2.5 to 2.8 millimeters long.
The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower bud, are green. They are about 6.5 to 7.5 millimeters long and form a tube. This tube has two parts, or lobes, at the top.
The petals are a lovely pinkish-red color. They are quite long, about 23 to 26 millimeters. These petals also form a tube shape. The lower part of the flower has three lobes. The middle lobe is broadly egg-shaped and curved inwards. The two side lobes are a bit smaller. The upper part of the flower has two egg-shaped lobes. Carrick's mintbush flowers bloom from April to May.
How Was Carrick's Mintbush Named?
The scientific name Prostanthera carrickiana was first officially described in 1987. This was done by a botanist named Barry Conn. He wrote about it in a science journal called Muelleria.
Honoring a Botanist
The second part of the plant's name, carrickiana, was chosen to honor another botanist. His name was John Carrick. The plant was found in the Clyde Hill Nature Reserve.
Where Does Carrick's Mintbush Grow?
Carrick's mintbush grows in a type of woodland called mallee. This area has many small, bushy plants growing underneath the taller trees.
Special Home in Western Australia
This plant is only known to grow in the Clyde Hill Nature Reserve. This reserve is located in a specific natural area of Western Australia called the Mallee biogeographic region. This means it's a very special and rare plant found only in this small part of the world.
Is Carrick's Mintbush Protected?
Yes, Carrick's mintbush is a protected plant. The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given it a special classification.
"Priority Four" Status
It is classified as "Priority Four". This means that the plant is rare or close to being threatened. It needs special attention to make sure it continues to survive in its natural habitat.
