Diocirea microphylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diocirea microphylla |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diocirea
|
| Species: |
microphylla
|
Diocirea microphylla is a type of plant that belongs to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). It is found only in a small area near Coolgardie in Western Australia. This plant is a low shrub with thin branches. It has tiny leaves that press against its stems. You can easily tell it apart from other plants in its genus because of its very small leaves.
What it Looks Like
Diocirea microphylla is a shrub with many stems. It can grow up to about 0.8 metres (3 ft) tall. It can also spread out to about 1.6 metres (5 ft) wide. Its branches are very thin, less than 1 millimetre (0.04 in) across. Unlike other plants in its group, its branches do not have raised glands.
The leaves are usually 1.5–2 millimetres (0.06–0.08 in) long and about 1 millimetre (0.04 in) wide. They are shaped like an egg and stick close to the stem. The leaves feel sticky because they have a substance called resin on them.
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. They do not have a stalk. Each flower has 5 green, egg-shaped, pointed sepals. These sepals are joined together at their bottom. The petals are white or light purple. They form a tube that is 1.5–2.5 millimetres (0.06–0.1 in) long. The ends of the petals are about the same length as the tube. They have purple spots near their bases. The flower tube is mostly smooth, except for a few hairs on the bottom part. There are 4 stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. These stamens stick out a little bit from the petal tube. After the flower blooms, it forms a fruit. This fruit is cone-shaped, dark brown, wrinkled, and smooth. It is about 2 by 1.5 millimetres (0.08 in × 0.06 in) in size.
Naming the Plant
The plant Diocirea microphylla was first officially described in 2007. A scientist named Bob Chinnock gave it its formal description. He found a sample of the plant near Coolgardie.
The second part of its name, microphylla, comes from the Greek word mikrophyllos. This word means "with small leaves." So, the plant's name tells us that it has tiny leaves.
Where it Lives
Diocirea microphylla grows in a small area north of Coolgardie. This area is part of the Coolgardie region. It likes to grow in woodland areas on clay loam soil.
Scientists know about only a few groups of these plants. However, in some of these places, the plant covers the ground almost completely. There can be thousands of individual plants growing close together.
Protecting the Plant
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Diocirea microphylla a "Priority Three" rating. This means that not much is known about the plant. It is found in only a few places. However, it is not currently in immediate danger of disappearing.
