Kunzea aristulata facts for kids

Kunzea aristulata is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it grows naturally only in a small part of New South Wales, Australia. It's a shrub that stands upright and spreads out. It looks a bit like another plant called Kunzea rupestris, but you can tell them apart by their leaves. You can find Kunzea aristulata in a faraway area north of Yerranderie, often growing right on the edges of cliffs.

What it Looks Like

Kunzea aristulata is a shrub that grows upright and spreads out. It can reach a height of up to 2 m (7 ft). When its branches are young, they feel soft and silky because they are covered in fine hairs.

Its leaves are shaped like an oval or a wide oval. They are about 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. When the leaves are young, they also have soft hairs. The leaves often end in a sharp, sudden point. You can easily see the main vein running down the middle of each leaf.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers usually grow in groups of five to fifteen at the ends of the branches. The part that holds the flower, called the floral cup, is about 4 mm (0.2 in) long and smooth. The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the bud, are triangular. They are 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long and pointed.

The petals are white or cream-colored and are usually round or egg-shaped, about 1 mm (0.04 in) long. Each flower has about fifty stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens are 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long.

Kunzea aristulata flowers bloom in October and November. After flowering, the plant produces fruit. These fruits are urn-shaped capsules, which are dry seed pods. They are about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide.

About its Name

The plant Kunzea aristulata was first officially described in 2016. This description was made by a scientist named Hellmut R. Toelken. He published his findings in a scientific paper called Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

The second part of its scientific name, aristulata, comes from a Latin word. It means "awned" or "with ears," and it refers to the short, sharp point found at the end of the leaves.

Where it Grows

This type of kunzea plant grows in open forests. You can often find it on the edges of cliffs, especially in the area north of Yerranderie.