Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa |
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G. acanthocarpa
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| Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa (Lindl.) J.M.Black
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Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa is a special plant known as native liquorice or southern liquorice. It belongs to the pea family, called Fabaceae. This plant is a small shrub, meaning it's woody but not as tall as a tree.
You can find Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa growing naturally in Australia. It usually reaches a height of about 0.1 to 1 meter (which is about 4 inches to 3 feet). This plant shows off beautiful narrow purple flowers. These flowers typically appear between September and May in its home country.
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Discovering Native Liquorice
Native liquorice is a fascinating plant with a history of how it was found and named. It's part of a large family of plants that includes peas, beans, and clover.
How It Was Named
The first official description of Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa happened in 1838. A botanist named John Lindley wrote about it in his book, Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia.
Early Explorations
The plant was first seen and recorded in 1836. This was done by an explorer named Thomas Livingstone Mitchell. He found it near the Lachlan River in New South Wales, Australia. When Lindley first described it, he gave it the name Indigofera acanthocarpa. Later on, scientists decided to move the plant to a different group, or genus, called Glycyrrhiza. This is the same genus that includes the liquorice plant used to make sweets.
Where Native Liquorice Grows
This plant is native to several parts of Australia. You can find it in the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria. It thrives in these areas, showing its pretty purple flowers for many months of the year.
