Wreath leschenaultia facts for kids

Lechenaultia macrantha is a special kind of plant that grows close to the ground. You can find it in sandy or gravelly areas in Western Australia. It's also known by its common name, Wreath lechenaultia. This plant is often grown for its beautiful flowers.

Discovering the Wreath Lechenaultia

When you look at Lechenaultia macrantha from above, it looks like a beautiful wreath. This happens when it flowers, usually from August to November. The plant grows low to the ground, reaching about 50 to 150 millimeters (2 to 6 inches) tall. It can spread out to about one meter (3 feet) wide.

Plant Features

The branches of this plant are a bit thick and fleshy. Its leaves are long and narrow, growing up to 40 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) in length. The flowers are quite large and colorful. They can be yellow, pink, or red. These flowers grow in a ring at the ends of the branches. Each flower has five petals, and they measure about 30 to 35 millimeters (1.2 to 1.4 inches) across.

Where It Grows

You can find Lechenaultia macrantha in the southwestern parts of Western Australia. It grows in areas like the Geraldton Sandplains and the Avon Wheatbelt. It can also be found further inland in a drier region called the Eremaean Botanical Province.

Plant Family and Name

Lechenaultia macrantha belongs to a plant family called Goodeniaceae. Most plants in this family grow in the dry parts of Australia.

The plant was first officially described in 1912 by a scientist named Kurt Krause. He named it after Jean Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour, a famous explorer and botanist. The second part of its name, macrantha, comes from Greek. It means "large flower," which is a perfect description for this plant's big, showy blooms.

Growing This Plant

People often grow Lechenaultia macrantha in their gardens because it's so pretty. It's known as an ornamental plant. The easiest way to grow new plants is by taking cuttings from an existing plant.