Leptospermum confertum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leptospermum confertum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leptospermum
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| Species: |
confertum
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Leptospermum confertum is a special kind of shrub. It is also known as a tea-tree. This plant grows only in one small area of Western Australia. You can find it on East Mount Barren, which is on the south coast. It has rough bark and many narrow leaves that grow very close together. Its flowers are white, but they look pink when they are still buds.
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What Does This Plant Look Like?
Leptospermum confertum is a tall shrub. It usually grows about 2 to 3 meters (6.5 to 10 feet) high. It has strong, rough bark. The young branches are a bit hairy. They also have a small bump under each leaf.
The leaves stand upright and are packed closely together. Most are about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. They are also about 1 to 1.5 millimeters (0.04 to 0.06 inches) wide. Each leaf narrows down to a small stalk. This stalk is called a petiole. It is about 1.5 millimeters long.
The flowers grow one by one. They appear where the leaf meets the stem. This spot is called a leaf axil. Small, pale reddish-brown leaf-like parts are at the base of the flowers. These are called bracts and bracteoles.
The flowers are white. They look pink when they are still buds. Each flower is about 12 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) wide. The small, green parts that protect the bud are called sepals. They are less than 1 millimeter long. The white flower petals are about 5 millimeters long. The stamens, which hold the pollen, are about 2 millimeters long. They grow in groups of about seven.
This plant flowers between October and January. After flowering, it produces a fruit. The fruit is about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) wide. It has a nearly flat top. The sepals stay attached to the fruit.
How Was This Plant Named?
The plant Leptospermum confertum was first officially described in 1989. This was done by a botanist named Joy Thompson. She wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea.
The second part of its name, confertum, comes from a Latin word. Confertus means "close together" or "crowded." This name was chosen because of how the plant's leaves grow. They are very crowded together on the stems.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
This special tea-tree is found in a specific area. It grows on slopes and in rocky valleys. You can find it along the south coast of Western Australia. Its home is on East Mount Barren. This area is part of the beautiful Fitzgerald River National Park.
Is This Plant Protected?
Yes, Leptospermum confertum is a protected plant. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given it a special status. It is classified as "Priority Two."
This means that the plant is not very well known. It has only been found in one or a few places. Because it is rare and found in limited spots, it needs to be protected. This helps make sure it continues to grow in the wild.
