Dwarf claw flower facts for kids

Calothamnus lehmannii, also known as the dwarf claw flower, is a special plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a small, low bush that sometimes grows close to the ground. It has long, thin leaves that look like tubes. Its red flowers grow in groups and are smaller than other flowers in the Calothamnus group.

Plant Description

Calothamnus lehmannii usually grows to about 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) tall. Its leaves are 10–25 millimetres (0.4–1 in) long. They are shaped like circles if you cut them in half.

The flowers grow in small groups. They are partly hidden in the plant's rough, corky bark. The flowers are red. Each flower has four sepals (small leaf-like parts that protect the bud). It also has four petals and four claw-like groups of stamens. Stamens are the parts that make pollen. All these parts are less than 10 millimetres (0.4 in) long. The top two groups of stamens have only four or five stamens. The bottom ones are even smaller, with just one stamen. This plant blooms between August and October. After flowering, it grows woody fruits called capsules.

How it Got its Name

The plant Calothamnus lehmannii was first officially described in 1843. This was done by a scientist named Johannes Schauer. He wrote about it in a book called Dissertatio phytographica de Regelia, Beaufortia et Calothamno. The second part of its name, lehmannii, honors a German botanist. His name was Johann Lehmann.

Where it Grows

Calothamnus lehmannii is found in several areas of Western Australia. These areas include Bowelling and the Stirling Range districts. It grows in sandy soils. You can find it on flat plains and on the sides of hills.

Conservation Status

The Western Australian government's department of parks and wildlife says that Calothamnus lehmannii is "not threatened." This means it is not in danger of disappearing.