Dainty phebalium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dainty phebalium |
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| Phebalium festivum in Greater Bendigo National Park | |
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| Genus: |
Phebalium
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| Species: |
festivum
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Phebalium festivum, also known as the dainty phebalium, is a type of spreading shrub. It is found only in Victoria, Australia. This plant has smooth branches and leaves that look like broad eggs. Its leaves also have small bumps. The dainty phebalium produces white or pale yellow flowers. These flowers grow in clusters at the ends of its branches.
What Does It Look Like?
The dainty phebalium is a shrub that usually grows to be about 0.6–1.5 m (2 ft 0 in – 4 ft 11 in) tall. Its branches are mostly smooth. They are covered with tiny, rust-colored scales. The leaves are shaped like eggs, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. They are 2–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) long and 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) wide. The top of the leaves has small, warty bumps. The underside of the leaves is covered with shiny, silver scales.
The plant has three to ten white or pale yellow flowers. These flowers grow in small clusters called umbels. They are found at the very ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a small stalk, about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long, covered in silver scales. The base of the flower, called the calyx, is shaped like a half-circle. It is about 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) long. The calyx has silver to reddish-brown scales on the outside. The petals are shaped like ovals. They are about 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long. Their backs are covered with silver to rust-colored scales. This plant blooms in spring and summer.
How It Got Its Name
Phebalium festivum was first officially described in 1998. This was done by a scientist named Paul Wilson. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant was named from samples collected near Eaglehawk in 1952. The second part of its scientific name, festivum, means "pleasant". This refers to how nice the plant looks when it is flowering.
Where Does It Grow?
The dainty phebalium grows in forests. You can find it near Bendigo in western Victoria, Australia.
