Leionema oldfieldii facts for kids

Leionema oldfieldii is a small shrub found only in the mountains of Tasmania, Australia. It has dark green leaves and pretty pale pink to white flowers. These flowers bloom from November to January.

What Does Leionema oldfieldii Look Like?

This plant is a small, bushy shrub. It usually grows up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its small branches can look a bit like needles. They often have soft, star-shaped hairs.

The leaves are tough and shiny. They are dark green and shaped like an egg or a long oval. Each leaf is about 7 to 15 millimeters long. That's roughly the size of a small fingernail. They are also about 2.5 to 6 millimeters wide. The edges of the leaves are slightly rolled. They are also finely scalloped near the rounded tip.

The flowers grow in tight bunches at the end of the branches. They are pale pink to white. Each flower sits on a short, smooth stalk called a pedicel. This stalk is about 2.5 millimeters long. There are also two tiny leaf-like parts called bracteoles near the base of the flower.

The petals of the flowers are oval-shaped and spread open. They are about 4 millimeters long and feel smooth. Inside the flower, the stamens (the parts that make pollen) are a little longer than the petals. You can see these beautiful flowers from late spring to early summer.

How Did Leionema oldfieldii Get Its Name?

Scientists give every plant and animal a special two-part name. This helps everyone know exactly which species they are talking about.

The first time this plant was officially described was in 1858. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Eriostemon oldfieldii. He wrote about it in a scientific book called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.

Later, in 1998, another scientist named Paul G. Wilson changed its name. He moved it to a different group of plants. So, the plant became known as Leionema oldfieldii. This name change was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.

Where Does Leionema oldfieldii Live?

This special shrub grows only in the mountains. You can find it in the southern and western parts of Tasmania. Tasmania is an island state of Australia.