Melaleuca agathosmoides facts for kids
The Melaleuca agathosmoides is a special kind of shrub. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant grows only in a small part of Western Australia, in the south-west. What makes it unique is that its flowers grow right on the old branches, not just on new shoots.
What it Looks Like
This Melaleuca plant is usually a shrub. It grows to be about 0.5 to 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) tall. Its leaves are smooth, meaning they have no hairs. They are small, about 2 to 5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.2 inches) long. The leaves grow in a special way, in pairs that cross each other.
The flowers of Melaleuca agathosmoides are quite interesting. They grow directly on the older parts of the wood. You can find them alone or in groups of up to 20 flowers. Each flower has five groups of stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. There are 12 to 19 stamens in each group.
The base of the flower is shaped like a cup and is smooth. It is about 1.8 to 2.5 millimeters (0.07 to 0.1 inches) long. The flowers are usually cream, white, or greenish-white. They bloom between July and November. After the flowers, the plant produces woody capsules, which are its fruits. These fruits are about 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters (0.14 to 0.18 inches) long.
Naming the Plant
The plant Melaleuca agathosmoides was first officially described in 1939. This was done by a scientist named Charles Austin Gardner. He found a sample of the plant in the Coolgardie District of Western Australia.
The second part of its name, agathosmoides, means it looks similar to plants in another group called Agathosma.
Where it Grows
This special Melaleuca plant is only found in the Lake King area of Western Australia. This region is known as the Mallee biogeographic region. It likes to grow on hills in gravelly, red clay soil.
Protecting the Plant
Melaleuca agathosmoides is classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. This means it is a very rare plant. It is known to grow in only a few places, and these places could be at risk. Because it's so rare, it needs special protection to make sure it continues to survive.
