Kunzea amathicola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kunzea amathicola |
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| Kunzea amathicola foliage and flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Kunzea
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| Species: |
amathicola
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Kunzea amathicola is a special plant from New Zealand. People also call it manuka or rawiritoa in the Maori language. It is a type of flowering plant in the myrtle family. This plant is a big bush or a small tree. It has many branches and lots of leaves. Its flowers are white with a red center.
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About the Kunzea amathicola Plant
Kunzea amathicola is a large bush or tree. It can grow up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. But often, it is a thick, round bush. These bushes are usually about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. Its branches are tightly woven together.
The branches are covered with soft, silky hairs. The plant has two kinds of leaves. Young leaves are egg-shaped. They are about 2.5 to 5 millimeters long. Adult leaves are longer and thinner. They are about 6 to 12 millimeters long.
The flowers grow in groups of five to twenty. Each flower is about 7 to 12.5 millimeters wide. The petals are white and round. There are many white parts inside the flower called stamens. You can see flowers on this plant almost all year. After flowering, it grows small, round fruits.
Naming the Kunzea amathicola
The plant Kunzea amathicola was officially named in 2014. It was named by two scientists, Peter James de Lange and Hellmut R. Toelken. The second part of its name, amathicola, tells us something important. It comes from old Greek and Latin words. "Amathos" means "sand." "Cola" means "dweller." So, amathicola means "sand dweller." This name fits because the plant often grows in sandy places.
Where Kunzea amathicola Grows
This kunzea plant usually grows on sand dunes. It also likes sandy soils near the coast. You can find it on both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. It also grows on Little Barrier Island.
On the North Island, it is common on the west coast. This is between Wellington and Te Paki. In the South Island, it grows from Farewell Spit to West Whanganui Inlet.
Growing Kunzea amathicola at Home
If you want to grow rawiritoa, it's quite easy. You can start new plants from fresh seeds. It grows quickly in a sunny spot. It also needs soil that drains water well.
Images for kids
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Kunzea amathicola growing in the Kapiti Island Nature Reserve
