South Australian green correa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Australian green correa |
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| Correa calycina in Maranoa Gardens | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Correa
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| Species: |
calycina
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The South Australian green correa, also called the Hindmarsh correa, is a special type of tall, bushy plant. It grows only in a small part of South Australia. This plant has thin, oval-shaped leaves and green flowers that hang down. You can find these flowers growing one by one on short side branches.
Contents
What Does the South Australian Green Correa Look Like?
The South Australian green correa is a thick, bushy plant. It usually grows to be about 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) (3 to 10 feet) tall and 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) (3 to 6 feet) wide. Its small branches are covered with reddish-brown hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are narrow and oval-shaped. They are about 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) (0.8 to 1.2 inches) long and 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) (0.4 to 1 inch) wide. Each leaf sits on a small stem called a petiole, which is about 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long.
The flowers grow one at a time on short side shoots. Each flower has a small stem called a pedicel, which is 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) (0.08 to 0.16 inches) long. The green part at the base of the flower, called the calyx, looks like a green cup. It is square-shaped and can be up to 15 mm (0.59 in) (0.6 inches) long. It has four pointed parts.
The main part of the flower, called the corolla, is green when it first appears. It slowly turns a light purple color as it gets older. This part of the flower hangs down and is shaped like a narrow tube, up to 30 mm (1.2 in) (1.2 inches) long. It is covered with tiny, star-shaped hairs. Inside the flower, there are eight stamens, which are much longer than the flower tube itself.
Where Does the South Australian Green Correa Come From?
The South Australian green correa was first officially described in 1925. A scientist named John McConnell Black wrote about it in a scientific paper. He studied plants that were collected in the Hindmarsh Valley by another scientist, John Burton Cleland.
Different Types of Green Correa
There are two main types, or varieties, of Correa calycina:
- Correa calycina var. calycina: This type has leaves with a few to a moderate number of star-shaped hairs on their underside.
- Correa calycina var. halmaturorum: This type is also known as the De Mole River Correa. Its leaves are covered very thickly with star-shaped hairs on the underside. This variety was first described in 1998 by Paul Wilson.
Where Does the South Australian Green Correa Live?
The South Australian green correa grows in only a few separate spots. You can find it on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula and on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It usually grows very close to or right on the banks of streams.
Specific Locations for Each Variety
The calycina variety lives on the Fleurieu Peninsula. It is found near the Hindmarsh and Inman Rivers, and also near Carrickalinga Creek.
The halmaturorum variety is only found along the De Mole River on Kangaroo Island. It grows in forests where sugar gum trees (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) are common.
Why Is the South Australian Green Correa Important to Protect?
The South Australian green correa is considered "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. Both the Australian Government and the South Australian Government have laws to protect it.
Threats to the Plant
The biggest dangers to this plant are:
- Weeds: Other plants, like Montpelier broom (Genista monspessulana), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), and different types of willow trees (Salix species), grow too close and take away the water and sunlight the correa needs.
- Land Clearing: When land is cleared for building or farming, the correa's habitat is destroyed.
- Grazing: Animals like livestock eating the plants can also harm them.
By understanding these threats, people can work to protect this special plant for the future.
Images for kids
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Correa calycina in Maranoa Gardens
