Grey-leaved beaufortia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey-leaved beaufortia |
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| In Wingedine Nature Reserve near Kojonup | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Beaufortia (plant)
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| Species: |
incana
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Beaufortia incana, also known as the grey-leaved beaufortia, is a special plant from the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like eucalyptus. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This shrub has leaves that look whitish because they are covered in soft, fine hairs. In spring, it shows off beautiful, almost round, red flowers.
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What the Grey-leaved Beaufortia Looks Like
The grey-leaved beaufortia is a shrub that usually grows to be about 0.5–2 m (1 ft 8 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall. Its leaves are placed one after another, and they are quite close together on the younger branches. The leaves are long and narrow, shaped like a spear, and are arranged in pairs that cross each other. This makes them look like they are in four neat rows along the stems. Each leaf is about 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) long and has soft hairs on both sides, which gives them their greyish look.
The flowers are bright red and grow in thick, round clusters about 25 mm (0.98 in) across at the ends of the branches. These clusters are surrounded by long, soft hairs. Each flower has 5 small leaf-like parts called sepals, 5 petals, and 5 groups of stamens. The stamens are the parts that give the flowers their vibrant red color. They are grouped in bundles of 3, joined together for most of their length, and these bundles can be different sizes. The plant flowers from August to December. After the flowers, it produces woody seed pods called capsules.
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How it Got its Name
The scientific name Beaufortia macrostemon var. incana was first written down in 1867 by a scientist named George Bentham. Later, in 1972, another scientist, Alex George, decided it was unique enough to be its own species, so he named it Beaufortia incana. The word "incana" comes from Latin and means "quite gray," which perfectly describes the plant's leaves!
Where the Grey-leaved Beaufortia Lives
The grey-leaved beaufortia grows in special types of land in Western Australia. It likes areas called kwongan (a type of shrubland) and other shrublands. You can find it in regions like the Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, and Swan Coastal Plain. It prefers soils that come from a type of rock called laterite, often found on hills and sandy plains.
Is it Safe?
The good news is that the grey-leaved beaufortia is not in danger! The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "not threatened," meaning there are plenty of these plants in the wild.
