Maireana brevifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maireana brevifolia |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Maireana
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| Species: |
brevifolia
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Maireana brevifolia is a special kind of shrub. It is native to Australia, meaning it grew there naturally first. This plant is also known by several common names like cotton bush or eastern cotton-bush. You might also hear it called short-leaf bluebush or yanga bush.
This shrub is quite adaptable. It has spread and now grows in other parts of the world too. These places include South Africa, the Middle East, and the Canary Islands. When a plant grows in a new place where it wasn't originally from, it is called "naturalised."
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About the Cotton Bush
The cotton bush is not very tall. It usually grows to be between 0.2 and 1 metre high. That's about knee-high to waist-high for most people.
What Does it Look Like?
The plant has small, interesting fruits. These fruits look a bit like flowers. They can be up to 9 millimetres across. Each fruit has five very thin, paper-like wings. These wings help the seeds to spread.
Where Does it Grow?
Maireana brevifolia is a very hardy plant. It is often one of the first plants to grow in disturbed areas. These are places where the ground has been changed, like by farming or construction. It especially likes areas with salty soil. This makes it a pioneer plant in such environments.
How is the Cotton Bush Used?
In some parts of the world, the cotton bush is very useful. It is used as a food source for animals.
A Fodder Plant
In countries like South Africa and Namibia, the cotton bush is known as Australian bluebush. Farmers use it as a "fodder plant." This means it is grown to feed livestock. It is especially important during the dry season. When other plants dry up, the cotton bush can still provide food for animals.
