Willow-leaved crowea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willow-leaved crowea |
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| Crowea saligna growing in the Royal National Park | |
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Crowea
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| Species: |
saligna
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Crowea saligna, also called willow-leaved crowea, is a beautiful plant from the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus fruits. This plant grows only in eastern New South Wales, Australia. It is a small shrub known for its pretty pink, star-shaped flowers. Many people like to grow it in their gardens.
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What Does Willow-Leaved Crowea Look Like?
Crowea saligna is a small shrub that usually grows to be about 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) tall. It has branches that are noticeably angled, almost like they have sharp corners.
Leaves of the Willow-Leaved Crowea
The leaves of this plant are about 30 to 60 millimeters (1 to 2.5 inches) long and 3 to 13 millimeters (0.1 to 0.5 inches) wide. They are narrow and shaped like a spear. The leaves are dark green and shiny, with tiny dots that are actually oil glands. You can also see a clear line down the middle of each leaf, which is called the mid-vein.
Flowers of the Willow-Leaved Crowea
The flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem, on a short stalk. Each flower has 5 short, wide parts called sepals and 5 petals that overlap. These petals form a lovely "star" shape. The petals are usually pink, but sometimes they can be white. They are about 12 to 18 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long. Inside the flower, there are stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens are hairy and surround the center of the flower.
When Do the Flowers Bloom?
You can see these beautiful flowers from January to June. After the flowers, the plant produces dry fruits. Each fruit has 5 sections, and each section opens up to release 2 seeds.
How Willow-Leaved Crowea Got Its Name
The plant Crowea saligna was first officially described in the year 1800 by a person named Henry Cranke Andrews. He published his description in a book called The Botanist's Repository for New, and Rare Plants. The second part of its scientific name, saligna, is a Latin word. It means "of willow," which is why the plant is also called "willow-leaved crowea."
Where Does Willow-Leaved Crowea Grow?
Willow-leaved crowea grows naturally in the Sydney area of New South Wales. You can find it between places like Woy Woy and Yerrinbool. It also grows in the nearby Blue Mountains. This plant likes to grow in sheltered spots, especially on sandstone rocks.
Growing Willow-Leaved Crowea in Your Garden
Many people like to grow Crowea saligna in their gardens because its flowers are very pretty. They are especially popular because they bloom when most other plants are not flowering. This plant likes a spot where the water drains well, and it can grow in sunny or partly shady areas. It grows best in soil that stays a bit moist. Once the plant is settled, it can even handle dry periods without much trouble.
