Kick bush facts for kids
Astroloma pallidum, often called kick bush, is a small, neat shrub. It belongs to the Ericaceae family, which also includes plants like blueberries and rhododendrons. This special plant only grows in the south-western part of Western Australia.
Quick facts for kids Kick bush |
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| Astroloma palidum on the Darling Range | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Astroloma
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| Species: |
pallidum
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What Kick Bush Looks Like
The kick bush is usually a tidy, dense shrub. It can grow up to about 30 centimeters (12 inches) tall. Its leaves are shaped like a spearhead. They are about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long. The edges of the leaves have small teeth.
This plant has tubular flowers. They are usually creamy white or pale yellow. Sometimes, you might see pink or red flowers. These flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem. You can see them for most of the year.
How Kick Bush Got Its Name
The kick bush was first described in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown gave it its scientific name. He wrote about it in a book called Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.
The second part of its scientific name, pallidum, is a Latin word. It means "pale" or "wan." This likely refers to the pale color of its flowers.
Where Kick Bush Grows
Kick bush grows in many different places in Western Australia. It likes soils like yellow or grey sand. It also grows in red or brown gravel. You can find it in brown clay or sandy clay. It even grows in areas with ironstone and limestone.
This plant lives in various habitats. These include flat areas and hillsides. It can also be found in places that get wet in winter. Sometimes, it grows near the edges of lakes. You can find it in several biogeographical regions of Western Australia. These include the Avon Wheatbelt and the Swan Coastal Plain.
