Downy zieria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Downy zieria |
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| Zieria cytisoides growing near Bega | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Zieria
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| Species: |
cytisoides
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The downy zieria (scientific name: Zieria cytisoides) is a special plant that belongs to the citrus family, called Rutaceae. It grows naturally only in eastern Australia. This plant is a bushy shrub, which means it's a bit like a small, dense tree. It has leaves that look a bit like clover, divided into three parts. When it blooms, it shows off small groups of flowers that can be light pink to a darker pink. Each flower has four petals and four stamens (the parts that make pollen).
What Does It Look Like?
The downy zieria is a bushy shrub that usually grows up to about 3 metres (10 feet) tall. Its branches are covered with soft, velvety hairs, which is how it gets its name "downy."
Its leaves are made up of three smaller leaf parts, called leaflets. The middle leaflet is shaped like an oval or an egg. It is usually between 15 and 40 millimetres (about 0.6 to 1.6 inches) long and 4 to 15 millimetres (about 0.2 to 0.6 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stalk, called a petiole, which is about 3 to 11 millimetres (0.1 to 0.4 inches) long.
The leaflets are mostly flat, but sometimes their edges curl slightly underneath. The top side of the leaves is dark green and has short, soft hairs. The underside is grey-green and covered with velvety hairs.
The flowers of the downy zieria can be pale pink, deep pink, or sometimes even white. They grow in small groups of 3 to 30 flowers. These clusters appear where the leaves meet the stem, which is called a leaf axil. At the base of each flower cluster, there's a small, leaf-like part called a bract, which is about 8 to 10 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long.
The flower clusters are usually about the same length as the leaves. Each flower has triangular sepals (the green parts that protect the bud) that are about 3 millimetres (0.1 inches) long and covered in soft hairs. The four petals are 3.5 to 5.5 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long and also have soft hairs. They don't overlap each other. Inside the flower, there are four stamens, which produce pollen.
Downy zieria flowers bloom during winter and spring. After the flowers fade, they are replaced by velvety seed pods called follicles. These pods contain black to reddish-brown seeds.
How It Got Its Name
The downy zieria was first officially described in 1818 by a scientist named James Edward Smith. He published its description in a book called The Cyclopaedia.
The plant's scientific name, Zieria cytisoides, has a special meaning. The second part of the name, cytisoides, suggests that it looks similar to a plant from the genus Cytisus. The ending -oides comes from Latin and means "likeness" or "resembling." However, the exact reason for this comparison isn't fully clear.
Where It Grows
You can find Zieria cytisoides growing in three states in Australia: Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
It is most common and widespread in New South Wales. There, it likes to grow in forest woodlands and heath areas. You'll often find it in sandy soil on rocky slopes, from areas near the coast all the way to the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range.
Growing Downy Zieria in Gardens
This type of zieria is quite popular for growing in gardens. It's easiest to grow new plants from cuttings, which are small pieces taken from an existing plant.
The downy zieria is a tough plant that grows well in soil that drains easily. It can grow in full sun or in partial shade. At the Australian National Botanic Gardens, it grows into a neat, compact shrub without needing much trimming. It's also good because it resists most pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance plant for gardeners.
