Graptophyllum ilicifolium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graptophyllum ilicifolium |
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| Conservation status | |
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Vulnerable (NCA)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Graptophyllum
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| Species: |
ilicifolium
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The Mount Blackwood holly (scientific name: Graptophyllum ilicifolium) is a beautiful large shrub found in rainforests. It gets its name because its shiny, dark green leaves look a lot like the leaves of a regular holly plant, even though they are not related. This plant grows best in damp, partly shady spots with soil that drains well.
This shrub can grow quite tall, up to 5 metres (about 16 feet) high. Its leaves are usually 7.5 to 10 centimetres (3 to 4 inches) long. They are very shiny, dark green, and have clear veins. The edges of the leaves are spiky, just like a holly. The Mount Blackwood holly also produces bright red flowers. These flowers grow in small groups and are about 2 to 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) long.
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Discovering the Mount Blackwood Holly
The Mount Blackwood holly was first found in the 1800s. A person named Nernst collected samples of this plant from Mount Blackwood, which is north of Mackay in Australia. These plant samples are now kept at the Melbourne Herbarium, which is like a special library for dried plants.
Finding More Plants
For many years, these plants were only known from the old collections. Then, in 1984, more of these plants were discovered growing in the wild. They were found in the areas around Mount Blackwood and Mount Jukes. Experts from the Queensland Herbarium collected these new plants. They confirmed that they were indeed Graptophyllum ilicifolium, the same species Nernst had found long ago.
Sharing the Mount Blackwood Holly
After the plant was officially identified, people wanted to help it grow and spread. Members of the Society for Growing Australian Plants in Mackay started growing the Mount Blackwood holly. They wanted to see how well it would grow outside of its natural habitat.
Becoming a Local Symbol
The plant grew well, and in 1991, it was offered to the public for the first time at a special event called the Australian Plant Spectacular. The next year, in 1992, the Mackay Branch of the Society for Growing Australian Plants chose the Mount Blackwood holly as their official flower, or "floral emblem." Later, in 2003, the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens also adopted it as their floral emblem. This shows how important and special this plant is to the local community.
