Fitzgerald persoonia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fitzgerald persoonia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Persoonia
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| Species: |
dillwynioides
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| Where this plant grows in Australia | |
The Persoonia dillwynioides, often called Fitzgerald persoonia, is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Proteaceae family, which includes many unique Australian plants. This shrub is found only in a small area in the southwest part of Western Australia. It's an upright, spreading bush with smooth bark and long, thin leaves. Its bright yellow flowers grow either alone or in small groups.
What Does it Look Like?
The Fitzgerald persoonia is an upright, spreading shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.6 to 1.8 meters (2 to 6 feet) tall. It has smooth, patchy grey bark. When the young branches first grow, they are hairy, but they become smooth as they get older.
Its leaves are arranged one after another along the stems. They are long and narrow, about 10 to 20 millimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) long and 0.7 to 1.3 millimeters (0.03 to 0.05 inches) wide. The top surface of the leaves is usually a bit curved inwards.
The flowers are bright yellow and grow either by themselves or in small groups of up to four. Each flower is about 10 to 12 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. The plant usually flowers from November to December. After flowering, it produces an oval-shaped fruit called a drupe. This fruit is about 7 to 10.5 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long.
How Was it Named?
The Persoonia dillwynioides was first officially described in 1856. A botanist named Carl Meissner gave it its formal scientific name. He published his description in a very important book about plants called Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, written by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle.
Where Does it Grow?
The Fitzgerald persoonia lives in a specific part of Western Australia. You can find it within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of the coast. It grows between the Gairdner River and Hopetoun. This plant prefers to grow in low, open areas called heathlands.
Is it Safe?
Good news! The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at this plant. They have classified the Fitzgerald persoonia as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
