Melaleuca genialis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca genialis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
genialis
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The Melaleuca genialis is a special plant that belongs to the Myrtaceae family, also known as the myrtle family. This plant is endemic, which means it only grows naturally in one specific place: the south-west part of Western Australia.
It's a very rare plant, found in just one nature reserve. It looks a lot like another plant called Melaleuca tinkeri. The main way to tell them apart is that Melaleuca genialis has soft, hairy leaves and petals, while M. tinkeri has smooth leaves.
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What Does It Look Like?
Melaleuca genialis is a type of shrub that can grow up to about 1.2 metres (4 feet) tall. When the young branches first grow, they are covered in soft, silky hairs. As they get older, these branches become smooth.
The leaves of this plant are arranged one after another along the stem. They are about 6.7 to 10 millimetres (0.26 to 0.39 inches) long and 0.8 to 1.1 millimetres (0.03 to 0.04 inches) wide. Their shape is long and narrow, or sometimes like a thin egg, and they end in a soft point. Just like the young branches, the leaves are also covered with soft, silky hairs. Each leaf has one main vein running down the middle.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Melaleuca genialis are a beautiful shade of pink to purple. They grow in round groups at the very ends of the branches. Even after the flowers bloom, the branches keep growing! These flower heads are about 11 to 14 millimetres (0.43 to 0.55 inches) across. Each head has 5 to 7 smaller groups, and each of those groups contains three flowers.
The petals of the flowers are tiny, about 0.8 to 1.1 millimetres (0.03 to 0.04 inches) long. They fall off as the flower gets older. Inside the flower, there are five groups of stamens (the parts that make pollen). Each group has 2 to 5 stamens. The plant mostly flowers in October. After the flowers, the plant produces small, woody capsules (like seed pods) that are about 2.5 to 3.3 millimetres (0.10 to 0.13 inches) long.
Where Did Its Name Come From?
The plant Melaleuca genialis was officially named as a new species in 2010 by a scientist named Brendan J. Lepschi. The second part of its name, genialis, comes from a Latin word. It means "jovial" or "pleasant." This name was chosen to remember the friendly staff who worked at the Western Australian Herbarium in the 1990s.
Where Does It Grow?
Melaleuca genialis has a very small and specific area where it grows. It is found in a nature reserve near a town called Wagin in Western Australia. This area is part of a larger natural region known as the Avon Wheatbelt. The plant likes to grow in woodlands, especially in clay soils.
Is It in Danger?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife lists Melaleuca genialis as "Priority Two". This means that while the plant might be threatened, not much is known about it. It is only found in a few locations, making it a plant that needs careful watching and protection.
