Tall phebalium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tall phebalium |
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| Subspecies beckleri in Maranoa Gardens | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leionema
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| Species: |
elatius
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Leionema elatius, also known as tall phebalium, is a type of shrub. It grows only in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. This plant has shiny green leaves that can be different shapes. In spring, it grows clusters of white to light yellow flowers.
Contents
What Does Tall Phebalium Look Like?
Tall phebalium is a shrub that can grow between 2 and 5 meters (about 6 to 16 feet) tall. Its stems can be smooth or have tiny star-shaped hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the tall phebalium are flat and can be shaped like a spear, an oval, or a spoon. They are usually 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters (about 0.6 to 1.4 inches) long and 3 to 10 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.4 inches) wide. The top of the leaf is shiny and smooth, and you can see a clear line down the middle on the underside.
The flowers grow in groups at the ends of the branches. Each flower has white to light yellow petals that are about 3 to 4.5 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) long. After the flowers bloom, small fruits about 4 millimeters (about 0.16 inches) long appear. Tall phebalium usually flowers in the spring.
How Was Tall Phebalium Named?
The tall phebalium was first officially described in 1859 by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He gave it the name Eriostemon elatior. He wrote about it in his book Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. The plants he studied were found near Tenterfield.
Later, in 1998, another scientist named Paul G. Wilson changed its name to Leionema elatius. This new name was published in a science journal called Nuytsia. The word elatius comes from Latin and means "taller," which fits its common name, tall phebalium.
Different Types of Tall Phebalium
Paul G. Wilson also identified two slightly different types, or subspecies, of tall phebalium. Both are recognized by the Australian Plant Census.
L. elatius subspecies beckleri
This subspecies is a smaller shrub, usually growing up to about 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. Its stems are rough and have small glands. The leaves are often spear-shaped, 1.5 to 2 centimeters (about 0.6 to 0.8 inches) long, and 3 to 5 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. The tips of the leaves are usually blunt or rounded. Its fruit is slightly flat. This type of tall phebalium is found in a small area in the McPherson Range in Queensland and northeastern New South Wales.
L. elatius subspecies elatius
This subspecies is taller, growing up to 5 meters (about 16 feet) high. Its leaves are usually spear-shaped to egg-shaped, 2 to 3.5 centimeters (about 0.8 to 1.4 inches) long, and 6 to 10 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. The tips of its leaves are rounded and slightly notched. Its stems are mostly smooth. The flower buds are oval-shaped and about 4 millimeters (about 0.16 inches) long. The fruit is wide and angled from the stem. This subspecies grows in the mountain ranges of northeastern New South Wales, north of Bulahdelah.
Where Does Tall Phebalium Grow?
Tall phebalium mostly grows in the mountain ranges north of Bulahdelah in New South Wales. It also grows in the far southeastern parts of Queensland.
See also
In Spanish: Leionema elatius para niños
