Conothamnus aureus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conothamnus aureus |
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| Conothamnus aureus leaves, flowers and fruit | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Conothamnus
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| Species: |
aureus
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Conothamnus aureus is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the plant family called Myrtaceae. This family includes plants like eucalyptus trees. This shrub is found only in Western Australia. It is a thin, spreading bush. It has stiff leaves and round, golden-yellow flowers. These flowers look a bit like the flowers of wattle plants.
What Does Conothamnus aureus Look Like?
Conothamnus aureus is a thin, spreading shrub. It has many small branches. This plant usually grows to be about 30 to 50 centimeters (12 to 20 inches) tall. It can spread out 50 to 100 centimeters (20 to 40 inches) wide.
Its leaves are shaped like a spear or an egg. They are about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long. They are also about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide. The leaves feel a bit hairy. Each leaf has one main vein.
The flowers are a bright golden yellow. They grow in round clusters at the ends of the branches. Each flower cluster is about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) across. Unlike some other plants in its group, the flowers of Conothamnus aureus do not have petals. This plant blooms between August and November.
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How Was Conothamnus aureus Named?
This plant was first officially described in 1852. A scientist named Nikolai Turczaninow gave it the name Trichobasis aurea. He wrote about it in a science publication. Later, in 1923, Karel Domin changed its name to Conothamnus aureus.
The second part of its name, aureus, is a Latin word. It means "golden." This name fits well because of the plant's golden-yellow flowers.
Where Does Conothamnus aureus Grow?
Conothamnus aureus grows in Western Australia. You can find it on sandy plains and flat areas. It also grows on sand dunes. It lives along the south coast of the state. This area stretches from the Stirling Range east to Israelite Bay. It is found in the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions. It prefers to grow in sandy or loamy soils.
