Lemon star-bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon star-bush |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Asterolasia
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| Species: |
muricata
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| Synonyms | |
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Urocarpus muricatus Paul G.Wilson |
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The Asterolasia muricata, also known as the lemon star-bush, is a special kind of small, upright shrub. It grows only in South Australia, which means it is endemic to that area. This plant has tough, leathery leaves with rough points and edges that curl inwards. Its pretty yellow flowers grow alone or in small groups of up to three. The back of the flower petals are covered in soft, star-shaped hairs.
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What Does the Lemon Star-Bush Look Like?
The lemon star-bush is a thin, upright shrub that usually grows to about 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its leaves are strong and leathery, measuring about 7 to 15 millimeters long. They grow on a short stem called a petiole, and their edges are always rolled under.
The top side of the leaves feels rough because it's covered with tiny, sharp points. But if you look at the bottom of the leaves, you'll see they are covered in soft, woolly hairs that look like tiny stars.
Lemon Star-Bush Flowers
The flowers of the lemon star-bush don't have a stalk at their base; they grow directly from the plant. They can appear alone or in small groups of two or three. You'll find them growing where leaves meet the stem, or at the very ends of the branches. Each flower has a small stalk, called a pedicel, which can be from 0.5 to 8 millimeters long.
The petals of the flowers are bright yellow and shaped like wide ovals, about 5 millimeters long. The back of these petals are covered in the same soft, star-shaped hairs you find on the leaves. Each flower also has ten stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen.
How Was the Lemon Star-Bush Named?
The lemon star-bush, Asterolasia muricata, was first officially described in 1912. A scientist named John McConnell Black wrote about it. He published his description in a scientific journal called Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia. This is how new plant species get their official names and descriptions in the scientific world.
Where Does the Lemon Star-Bush Grow?
The lemon star-bush likes to grow in sandy heathland areas. You can find it in two main places in South Australia. It grows on Kangaroo Island, which is a large island off the coast. It also lives on the very southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, which is a piece of land that sticks out into the ocean.
