Lemon flax lily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon Flax Lily |
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The Lemon Flax Lily (scientific name: Thelionema umbellatum) is a beautiful plant that grows year after year. It's a type of herb, which means it doesn't have a woody stem like a tree. This plant is originally from Australia.
About the Lemon Flax Lily
The Lemon Flax Lily can grow up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. Its flowers look a bit like tiny lilies. They are usually white with bright yellow parts called stamens in the middle.
Where it Grows
You can find the Lemon Flax Lily in several parts of Australia. It grows naturally in Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. These plants prefer shallow or peaty soils. They can be found near the coast or even high up in mountains, sometimes as high as 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) above sea level. In New South Wales, they are found south of Swansea, New South Wales.
Its Name and History
A famous botanist named Robert Brown first described this plant in 1810. He included it in his important book, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
The plant's scientific name, umbellatum, might seem a bit confusing. This word usually means that flowers grow in a special umbrella-like shape called an umbel. However, the Lemon Flax Lily's flowers actually grow in clusters called cymes. This means the name doesn't perfectly describe how its flowers are arranged.
When it was first discovered, this plant was known as Stypandra umbellatum. Later, in 1985, scientists decided it was different enough to be placed in a brand new group of plants. So, it was moved to a new genus called Thelionema.
