Hibbertia abyssa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bandalup buttercup |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hibbertia
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| Species: |
abyssus
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The Hibbertia abyssus, also known as Bandalup buttercup, is a small shrub. It is a critically endangered plant. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It belongs to the Dilleniaceae family and grows naturally in Western Australia.
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About the Bandalup Buttercup
The Bandalup buttercup is a small, upright shrub. It can grow up to about 1.2 meters (nearly 4 feet) tall. Its branches stand straight up. These branches have tiny, star-shaped hairs when they are young. As they get older, the ends become smooth.
The leaves of this plant are crowded together. They are long and thin, like needles. They are arranged in a spiral pattern around the stem. The leaves can be smooth or have small bumps on them.
Its Flowers
The flowers of the Bandalup buttercup are bright yellow. Each flower has five petals. They are supported by a smooth stalk, called a peduncle. This stalk is about 8 to 13 millimeters long. The green outer leaves of the flower, called sepals, are smooth on the inside. They might have a few small, star-shaped hairs on the outside. Inside the flower, there are five stamens (male parts). These are found on one side of the carpels (female parts), which are covered in dense hairs.
Where It Lives
This special plant is found in only a very small area. It grows along the south coast of Western Australia. You can find it southeast of a town called Ravensthorpe, Western Australia. Because it lives in such a tiny area, it is very vulnerable.
Why It's Protected
The Bandalup buttercup is considered "critically endangered." This means it faces a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. It is protected by two important laws in Australia. The first is the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, which lists it as "rare." The second is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This act gives it the highest level of protection as "critically endangered." These laws help protect the plant and its habitat.
How It Was Discovered
Scientists officially described the Bandalup buttercup in 2009. Two botanists, Juliet Wege and Kevin Thiele, studied the plant. They gave it its scientific name, Hibbertia abyssus. Their findings were published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
