Homoranthus cummingii facts for kids

Homoranthus cummingii is a unique plant from the myrtle family. It is endemic, meaning it only grows naturally in one small area in Queensland, Australia. This special shrub stands upright and has interesting leaves. Its flowers hang downwards and change color as they get older.

About This Special Plant

This plant is an upright shrub. Its leaves are pointed and linear, like small lines. They are arranged in a cool way: in alternating opposite pairs. This makes them form four neat rows along the branches.

The flowers are creamy white or pale yellow when they first appear. As they get older, they turn red, which is a neat trick! You can find these flowers blooming at different times of the year. They often appear in September, January, and May.

How It Got Its Name

Homoranthus cummingii was officially described in 2011. Three scientists, Lachlan Copeland, Lyndley Craven, and Jeremy Bruhl, studied a plant found in 2007. They published their findings in a science journal called Australian Systematic Botany.

The plant's specific name, cummingii, honors Russell John Cumming. He was the person who first discovered this plant.

Where It Lives

This plant is only found near a place called Mount Zero. This area is about 85 kilometers (about 53 miles) west of Townsville in Queensland.

Homoranthus cummingii grows in shallow, sandy soils. It likes to live among granite rocks.

Why It Needs Protection

There are not many Homoranthus cummingii plants left. Scientists believe there are only about 30 to 50 plants in total. These plants live in an area managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Some things could threaten these plants. For example, if there are too many fires, or if there is a very bad drought, the plants could be in danger. Because there are so few of them, experts consider this plant to be 'Critically Endangered'. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.