Darling Range beaufortia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darling Range beaufortia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Beaufortia (plant)
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| Species: |
macrostemon
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca macrostemon (Lindl.) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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The Darling Range beaufortia (scientific name: Beaufortia macrostemon) is a special plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one place, it is called endemic.
This plant is a small shrub. It has many stems and its young leaves are a bit hairy. Its flowers have unique parts called stamens, which are arranged in bundles. Each bundle has three stamens.
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What Does the Darling Range Beaufortia Look Like?
The Darling Range beaufortia is a shrub that grows from the ground. It usually reaches a height of about 0.2 to 0.5 meters (which is about 8 to 20 inches). It has many branches coming from its base.
Its leaves grow in pairs, one on each side of the stem. They are long and thin, like a spearhead. Each leaf is about 10 to 12 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long and 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) wide. When they are young, the leaves are often hairy.
This plant is special because it has a lignotuber. A lignotuber is a woody swelling at the base of the stem. It helps the plant regrow after a fire or damage.
The Flowers of the Darling Range Beaufortia
The flowers of this plant are usually red. They grow in round groups at the ends of the branches. Each flower has five small green parts called sepals. These sepals protect the flower bud.
Inside the sepals, there are five tiny petals. The most noticeable parts are the five bundles of stamens. Stamens are the parts of the flower that make pollen. These bundles can be pale yellow-brown or red. They are about 7 to 12 millimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches) long and are hairy near their base.
Each bundle has three bright red stamens. These stamens are 3 to 7 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) long. They separate from each other at one point.
The Darling Range beaufortia flowers from September to January. After the flowers, the plant produces fruit. These fruits are woody capsules. They are about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long and wide. The fruits are often joined together in bundles.
How Was This Plant Named?
The scientific name for this plant, Beaufortia macrostemon, was first officially written down in 1839. This was done by an English plant expert named John Lindley. He described it in his book, A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.
The second part of its scientific name, macrostemon, comes from Ancient Greek words. "Makros" means "large" or "long." "Stemon" means "thread" or "filament." This name likely refers to the long, thread-like stamens of the flower.
Where Does the Darling Range Beaufortia Grow?
The Darling Range beaufortia likes to grow in gravelly soil. This soil often comes from a type of rock called laterite. You can find this plant most often on and near the Darling Scarp. The Darling Scarp is a steep slope in Western Australia.
It grows in areas known as the Jarrah Forest and the Swan Coastal Plain. These are special areas defined by their plants and animals.
Is This Plant in Danger?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified Beaufortia macrostemon as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
