Red toothbrushes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red toothbrushes |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
hookeriana
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| Synonyms | |
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Grevillea pritzelii Diels |
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The Grevillea hookeriana is a cool plant often called red toothbrushes or Hooker's grevillea. It's a type of shrub, which is like a big bush, and it belongs to the Proteaceae plant family. You can only find this special plant growing naturally in the southwest part of Western Australia.
This shrub usually grows to be about 0.5 to 2.5 meters (about 1.5 to 8 feet) tall. It can also spread out quite wide, up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) across! Its unique flowers look like little toothbrushes and can be yellow, red, or even black. They bloom between May and November.
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What's in a Name?
A botanist named Carl Meissner officially described this plant way back in 1845. He wrote about it in a book called Plantae Preissianae.
The second part of its scientific name, hookeriana, is a special tribute. It was named after a famous person named Sir Joseph D. Hooker.
Different Kinds of Red Toothbrushes
Just like there can be different types of dogs, there are also slightly different types of Grevillea hookeriana. These are called subspecies. Currently, scientists recognize three main subspecies:
- G. hookeriana subsp. apiciloba (F.Muell.) Makinson
- G. hookeriana subsp. digitata (F.Muell.) Makinson
- G. hookeriana Meisn. subsp. hookeriana
Growing Red Toothbrushes
People sometimes grow Grevillea hookeriana in their gardens. However, a plant called G.'Red Hooks' is more commonly grown. This 'Red Hooks' plant is actually a mix, or hybrid, of G. hookeriana and another plant called G. tetragonoloba.
The original G. hookeriana is a bit harder to grow than the 'Red Hooks' hybrid. It likes places where the summers are dry. This plant also needs soil that drains water well, so its roots don't get too wet. It prefers sunny spots or places with a little bit of shade. It can handle a bit of frost, but not too much. If you want to grow new plants, you can use cuttings from an existing plant or plant its seeds.
Gallery
Images for kids
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How the plant looks in Boyagin Rock Nature Reserve
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A black version of the flower near Goomalling
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A black flower in Boyagin Rock Nature Reserve
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See also
In Spanish: Grevillea hookeriana para niños
