Homoranthus decumbens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Homoranthus decumbens |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Homoranthus
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| Species: |
decumbens
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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The Homoranthus decumbens is a special plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It is found only in a small area of Queensland, Australia. This plant is a low, spreading shrub, meaning it grows close to the ground and spreads out. Its leaves are shaped like cylinders and are arranged in pairs that alternate along the stem. The flowers are a yellowish-green color and grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem.
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What it Looks Like
This plant is a small shrub that spreads out. It has unique leaves that are round, like tiny tubes. The flowers are a mix of yellow and green. They appear by themselves, usually in the upper parts of the plant where the leaves join the stem.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The Homoranthus decumbens plant flowers during the spring and early summer months, from September to December. After flowering, it produces fruits. These fruits can be seen from October to December. This cycle helps the plant create new seeds and continue its species.
Naming and History
Plants are given scientific names so everyone around the world knows exactly which plant is being talked about. This plant was first officially described in 1984 by a botanist named Norman Byrnes. He first named it Darwinia decumbens. Later, in 1991, two other scientists, Lyndley Craven and S.R.Jones, changed its name to Homoranthus decumbens. The word decumbens comes from Latin and means "lying down" or "reclining," which describes how the plant grows close to the ground.
Where it Lives
The Homoranthus decumbens is found in a very specific and small area. You can find it north of a town called Chinchilla in Queensland. It likes to grow in sandy soils that are quite deep. It lives in areas that are flat, often in open spaces called heathlands or in woodlands where there are many shrubs.
Why it Needs Our Help
This plant is considered "endangered" by the Australian Government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under a law called the EPBC Act of 1999. The Homoranthus decumbens is very rare because it only grows in a small area. Because of its limited habitat and small numbers, it needs special care to make sure it survives.
