Darwinia peduncularis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darwinia peduncularis |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Darwinia
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| Species: |
peduncularis
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Darwinia peduncularis is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant only grows in the Sydney area of New South Wales, Australia. It is a shrub, which is like a small bush. It has flat leaves and pretty purplish-red flowers. These flowers often grow in pairs.
About This Plant
Darwinia peduncularis is a shrub that spreads out wide. It usually grows to about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. Its leaves are flat and spread out, measuring about 7 to 12 millimeters long. They are also smooth, meaning they have no hairs.
The flowers of this plant appear from late winter to early spring. They usually grow in pairs. Each pair sits on a small stalk called a peduncle. This stalk is about 4 to 7 millimeters long and often curves downwards.
At the base of the flowers, there are small, leaf-like parts called bracts. These are triangular and can be 1 to 10 millimeters long. There are also oblong-shaped bracteoles that are 4 to 8 millimeters long. These fall off as the flower grows.
How It Got Its Name
The plant Darwinia peduncularis was first officially described in 1962. A scientist named Barbara G. Briggs gave it its name. She wrote about it in a scientific paper called Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium. She had collected samples of the plant near Hornsby in 1958.
Where It Lives
This type of darwinia plant grows on hillsides and ridges made of sandstone. It prefers dry sclerophyll forests. You can find it in the area between Hornsby, the Hawkesbury River, and as far inland as Glen Davis.
Protecting the Plant
Darwinia peduncularis is considered a "vulnerable" species. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. The New South Wales Government lists it as vulnerable under their Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. This law helps protect plants and animals that are in danger.
