Diocirea acutifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diocirea acutifolia |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diocirea
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| Species: |
acutifolia
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Diocirea acutifolia is a special plant that belongs to the figwort family. It is found only in a small area near Norseman in Western Australia. This plant is unique because its branches and leaves produce a sticky substance called resin. This resin can sometimes cover the whole plant, making it look a cool bluish-grey color. You can tell this plant apart from others in its group because its leaves are longer than 6 millimeters (about 0.24 inches). It also has clear resin glands, which are like tiny bumps, on its stems.
Contents
Discovering Diocirea acutifolia
Diocirea acutifolia is a type of shrub, which means it's a bushy plant with many stems. It can grow up to about 0.6 meters (2 feet) tall and spread out to 0.8 meters (2.6 feet) wide. Its branches are covered with small, raised light brown bumps that make a white, sticky resin.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of this plant grow in a spiral pattern around the stems. They are usually between 6.6 and 9.5 millimeters (about 0.26 to 0.37 inches) long. The leaves are thin and often have a blue-green color because of the dried resin on their surfaces.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Diocirea acutifolia grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. They don't have a stalk. Each flower has 5 green, pointed outer leaves called sepals. It also has 5 white or light purple petals. These petals join together to form a tube that is about 2-3 millimeters (0.08-0.12 inches) long. The ends of the petals are also 2-3 millimeters long and often have purple spots.
Inside the flower, there are 4 stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens stick out a little bit from the petal tube. After the flower blooms, it produces an oval-shaped fruit. This fruit is surrounded by a hairy shell and is about 2 by 3 millimeters (0.08 by 0.12 inches) in size.
Naming and History of Diocirea acutifolia
The plant Diocirea acutifolia was officially described for the first time in 2007. A scientist named Bob Chinnock gave it its formal description. He found a sample of the plant near Kambalda, which is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of the Lake Cowan Causeway.
What Does the Name Mean?
The second part of the plant's name, acutifolia, comes from Latin words. "Acutifolia" means "acute-leaved," which describes the pointed shape of its leaves.
Where Diocirea acutifolia Lives
Diocirea acutifolia grows in a small area north of Norseman in a region called Coolgardie. It likes to grow in woodland areas, which are like forests with scattered trees. It prefers soil that is gravelly and made of loam, which is a mix of sand, silt, and clay.
Protecting Diocirea acutifolia
The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Diocirea acutifolia a "Priority Three" classification. This means that scientists don't know a lot about this plant, and it's only found in a few places. However, it's not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. This classification helps make sure that people keep an eye on it and protect its habitat.
