Kunzea sericothrix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kunzea sericothrix |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Kunzea
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| Species: |
sericothrix
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Kunzea sericothrix is a special plant from the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is found naturally only in Queensland, Australia. It's a small bush with long, thin leaves. Scientists have only found one of these plants so far, so they are still learning about its flowers.
Contents
About This Plant
Kunzea sericothrix is a small bush that grows to about 0.5 m (2 ft) tall. Its branches, leaves, and the base of its flowers are covered in soft, silky hairs.
Leaves and Branches
The leaves grow one after another along the branches. They are long and narrow, a bit like a spearhead, and are thinner at the bottom. Each leaf is about 5–6 mm (0.2–0.2 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. They have a short, unclear stem called a petiole.
Flowers and Flowering Time
We don't know much about the flowers of Kunzea sericothrix because they have only been seen as buds from that single plant. The flowers grow in round groups of five to eight at the ends of the branches. They are surrounded by leaf-like parts called bracts and smaller ones called bracteoles.
The triangular sepals (which protect the bud) are about 0.7 mm (0.03 in) long. The floral cup (the base of the flower) is longer than the sepals. The petals are mostly round and about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long. Each flower has about forty stamens (the parts that make pollen) arranged in layers. They are about 0.9–1.8 mm (0.04–0.07 in) long. This plant flowers in September.
Naming the Plant
How it Got its Name
The plant Kunzea sericothrix was officially named in 2016 by a scientist named Hellmut R. Toelken. He wrote about it in the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
The second part of its name, sericothrix, comes from two old Ancient Greek words:
- serikos means "silken" or "silky".
- thrix means "hair".
This name describes the fine, long hairs that cover the plant.
Where it Lives
The only time this kunzea plant has ever been found was in a rocky stream bed inside the Eungella National Park in Queensland.
Protecting This Plant
The Queensland Government lists Kunzea sericothrix as an "endangered" plant under its Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means it's at high risk of disappearing forever if we don't protect it.
