Leafy nematolepis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leafy nematolepis |
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Nematolepis
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N. frondosa
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| Nematolepis frondosa (N.G.Walsh & Albr.) Paul G.Wilson
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Nematolepis frondosa, also known as the leafy nematolepis, is a special kind of shrub. It grows only in Victoria, Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area. This plant is a small, cone-shaped shrub. It has shiny leaves, tiny scales on its branches, and pretty white flowers. These flowers bloom during winter and spring.
About the Leafy Nematolepis
The leafy nematolepis is a shrub that can grow up to 7 m (23 ft) tall. Its branches often spread out sideways. The smaller branches are covered with tiny, silvery or rusty-colored scales.
The leaves are smooth and shaped like a wide egg. They are about 8 mm (0.31 in) to 23 mm (0.91 in) long and 6 mm (0.24 in) to 15 mm (0.59 in) wide. They feel like paper and are very shiny. The underside of the leaves is covered in silvery scales. The edges of the leaves are flat, and the tip can be blunt or have a small notch. Each leaf has a small stem, called a petiole, which is about 2 mm (0.079 in) to 5 mm (0.20 in) long.
The plant's flowers usually grow alone, but sometimes you might see a small group of two or three. These star-shaped flowers hang downwards. Each flower has a short stalk, 1 mm (0.039 in) to 4 mm (0.16 in) long. Sometimes, a group of flowers grows on a longer stalk called a peduncle, which is 4 mm (0.16 in) to 9 mm (0.35 in) long.
The flowers have parts called sepals, which are small and triangular, about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) to 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long. They are scaly and barely joined at the bottom. The white petals overlap each other and are shaped like an ellipse, about 4 mm (0.16 in) to 6 mm (0.24 in) long. They are smooth, meaning they have no hairs. The stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen, are a little shorter than the petals.
After flowering, the plant produces a dry, egg-shaped fruit. It is about 4 mm (0.16 in) long and usually smooth, sometimes with a few hairs. It ends in a short, triangular point.
How it Was Named
This plant was first officially described in 1988 by two scientists, Neville Walsh and David Albrecht. They wrote about it in a science journal called Muelleria. They found the plant material at Mount Elizabeth and first named it Phebalium frondosum.
Later, in 1998, another scientist named Paul G. Wilson moved the species to a different group, or genus, called Nematolepis. This name change was published in the journal Nuytsia.
Where it Lives
The leafy nematolepis is a shrub that grows in the understory, which means it grows beneath taller trees. It is only found in a small area in eastern Victoria, Australia. You can find it at higher elevations between the towns of Bruthen and Ensay.
It grows in different places, from rocky areas in scrubland at lower altitudes to the upper slopes of Mount Elizabeth in tall forests.
Protecting the Plant
The Nematolepis frondosa is considered a special plant that needs protection. It is listed as "vulnerable" under a big Australian law called the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This means it's at risk of becoming extinct if we don't protect it.
It is also listed as "threatened" under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 in Victoria. The Department of Sustainability and Environment also lists it as "vulnerable" on their Advisory List of Rare Or Threatened Plants In Victoria. All these listings show how important it is to help this unique plant survive.
