Melaleuca manglesii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca manglesii |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
manglesii
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Melaleuca manglesii is a special plant from the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like eucalyptus. It only grows in a small part of Western Australia, making it an "endemic" plant. This means it's found naturally nowhere else in the world! It's a low, spreading bush that grows beautiful purple flowers with yellow tips, especially in spring.
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What Does Melaleuca Manglesii Look Like?
Melaleuca manglesii is a shrub that usually grows to about 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall and wide. Its leaves are arranged one after another along the stem. They are narrow and oval-shaped, about 3.0 to 7.5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) long. The leaves also have rounded ends.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers grow in round clusters at the ends of the branches. These clusters can be up to 22 millimeters (about 0.9 inches) across. Each cluster has between 2 and 8 groups of three flowers. The petals are small, about 1.8 to 2.0 millimeters long, and they fall off quickly.
The most noticeable part of the flower are the stamens. These are the parts that hold the pollen. They are deep pink or purple and have yellow tips. There are 5 to 7 stamens in each group. This plant blooms in spring. After the flowers, it produces small, woody, cup-shaped fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 2.8 to 4 millimeters long and grow in small groups along the stem.
How It Got Its Name
This plant was first officially described in 1844 by a scientist named Johannes Conrad Schauer. The second part of its scientific name, manglesii, honors James Mangles. He was a person who collected plants in Western Australia.
Where Does Melaleuca Manglesii Grow?
Melaleuca manglesii is found in a specific area of Western Australia. This area is between the towns of Wyalkatchem, Meckering, and Kellerberrin. It grows in sandy soil, often in scrubland.
Protecting This Plant
This plant is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife. This means it is known from only a few places. Because of this, it might be at risk and needs special protection.
How People Use Melaleuca Manglesii
Growing in Gardens
People have grown this melaleuca plant in gardens in Western Australia. It grows best in soil that drains water well. However, it might not do well in the more humid (wet and sticky) eastern parts of Australia.
Essential Oils
The leaves of Melaleuca manglesii contain a small amount of oil. This oil is made up of natural chemicals called monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.
