Common eutaxia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common eutaxia |
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Eutaxia
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E. microphylla
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| Eutaxia microphylla (R.Br.) J.M.Black
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Eutaxia microphylla, also known as the common eutaxia, is a type of shrub that belongs to the Fabaceae family, which is also known as the pea family. This plant is native to Australia, meaning it naturally grows there and nowhere else in the world.
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What Does Common Eutaxia Look Like?
This plant usually grows to be about 30 to 40 centimeters tall, which is roughly the height of a standard ruler. Its small leaves are a grey-green color. They are narrow or oval-shaped, about 2.3 to 4 millimeters long and 0.6 to 0.9 millimeters wide.
Common Eutaxia Flowers
The flowers of the common eutaxia look like small peas. Each flower has a dark red bottom part, bright yellow-orange side parts, and a yellow-orange top part with red marks on the back. These pretty flowers bloom between July and October in Australia.
How Did Common Eutaxia Get Its Name?
The common eutaxia has an interesting naming history. A botanist named Robert Brown first officially described this plant in 1811. He gave it the name Sclerothamnus microphyllus.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its original name, microphyllus, comes from two Greek words. Micro means "small," and phyllon means "leaf." This name perfectly describes the plant's tiny leaves. Later, in 1894, the plant was moved to the genus Eutaxia.
Where Does Common Eutaxia Grow?
You can find Eutaxia microphylla in several parts of Australia. It grows across southern South Australia and in north-eastern Tasmania.
Specific Locations
In Victoria, it is mostly found in the western areas of the state. In New South Wales, it grows in areas known as mallee and in places with Mugga Ironbark trees. These areas are generally to the west of the Great Dividing Range.
Plant Neighbors
Common eutaxia often grows alongside other plant types. Some of its plant neighbors include species from the genera Acacia, Eucalyptus, and Eremopila.
What Animals Interact with Common Eutaxia?
The common eutaxia plays a role in its ecosystem. Caterpillars of the Fringed Blue butterfly are known to feed on this plant. This means the plant provides an important food source for these butterfly larvae.
