Crowea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crowea |
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| Crowea exalata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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Rutoideae
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| Genus: |
Crowea
Sm.
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| Type species | |
| Crowea saligna Andrews |
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| Species | |
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Crowea is a group of small evergreen shrubs. They are sometimes called waxflowers because their petals can look waxy. These plants belong to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus trees like oranges and lemons.
There are three main types, or species, of Crowea plants. Many different kinds are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. People love them for their many beautiful flowers. These flowers often appear in autumn and winter, adding color when other plants are not blooming. All Crowea species grow naturally only in Australia. You can find them in Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia.
Contents
What Do Crowea Plants Look Like?
Crowea plants are evergreen shrubs. This means they keep their leaves all year round. They can grow to about 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall.
Leaves and Scent
The leaves of Crowea plants are simple and smooth. Like other plants in the Rutaceae family, their leaves have tiny oil glands. If you gently crush a leaf, you might notice a pleasant, aromatic smell.
Beautiful Star-Shaped Flowers
Crowea flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. They are usually pink and shaped like a star. Each flower has five petals and five sepals (small leaf-like parts under the petals). Inside the flower, there are ten stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen.
Crowea flowers look similar to those of other plants in the Rutaceae family. These include Philotheca, Eriostemon, and Boronia.
How Crowea Got Its Name
The group of plants called Crowea was first described in 1798 by a scientist named James Edward Smith. He named the genus to honor a man named James Crowe. Mr. Crowe was a surgeon and a big fan of plants, especially willow trees. He collected and grew many different types of willows.
The first species discovered was Crowea saligna. Its specific name, saligna, means "willow-like." This name was chosen to recognize Mr. Crowe's special interest in willows.
Accepted Crowea Species
As of November 2020, the Australian Plant Census recognizes three main species of Crowea:
- Crowea angustifolia Sm. - Found in Western Australia.
- Crowea exalata F.Muell. - Grows in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria.
- Crowea saligna Andrews - Found in New South Wales.
Growing Crowea Plants
Crowea plants are quite tough and easy to grow in gardens. They can handle a bit of frost, but not too much.
Best Growing Conditions
They grow best in soil that drains well. This means the water doesn't sit around the roots. They also like to be in partial shade, where they get some sunlight but are protected from the hottest sun. Using a mulch (a layer of material on top of the soil) can help them grow better.
Starting New Plants
The easiest way to grow new Crowea plants is from cuttings. A cutting is a small piece of the plant that can grow roots and become a new plant.
