Leionema ralstonii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leionema ralstonii |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leionema
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| Species: |
ralstonii
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Leionema ralstonii is a small shrub that grows on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. It has smooth, angled branches and pretty pale green flowers that bloom in winter.
Contents
What it Looks Like
Leionema ralstonii is a small shrub that can grow up to about 1 meter (3 feet) tall. Its branches are smooth and have noticeable angles.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are smooth and attach directly to the stem without a stalk, which is called being sessile. They are about 30 millimeters (1.2 inches) long and 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) wide. When the leaves dry, their edges tend to curl under. They feel a bit like paper and have a small notch at their rounded tip.
The flowers grow in tight groups of 4 to 7 at the ends of the branches. These groups of flowers are called an inflorescence. The leaves are somewhat shaped like a spear, wider at the top, and can be 2.5 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) long and 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. They get narrower towards the bottom.
Flower Details
Each flower has a small, fleshy stalk about 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) long that bends downwards. The green outer parts of the flower, called the calyx, are smooth and fleshy with triangular tips.
The petals of the flowers are pale green and about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) long. Inside the flower, the stamens (which produce pollen) are more than twice as long as the petals. This plant mostly flowers during the winter months.
Fruit
After flowering, the plant produces a dry fruit. This fruit stands upright and is about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) long. It ends in a short, triangular point.
Plant Name and History
This plant was first officially described in 1860 by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He originally gave it the name Eriostemon ralstonii. His description was published in a book called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
Later, in 1998, another scientist named Paul G.Wilson decided to change its name to Leionema ralstonii. This new name was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Where it Lives
Leionema ralstonii is found growing in specific areas on the south coast of New South Wales. It likes to grow on ridges and near creeks in the region between Bega and Eden.
Protecting the Plant
The government of New South Wales has classified Leionema ralstonii as a "vulnerable" species. This means that it is at risk of becoming endangered if its habitat is not protected. This classification is under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
