Melaleuca platycalyx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca platycalyx |
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| Melaleuca platycalyx in Kings Park Botanic Garden | |
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Melaleuca
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| Species: |
platycalyx
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Melaleuca platycalyx is a special plant from the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a small, bushy shrub with thin branches. In spring, it grows short groups of pretty purple or pink flowers. What makes this plant unique are its petals that bend downwards, many stamens (the parts that make pollen) in each flower, and unusually large fruits that grow in pairs.
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What Does It Look Like?
Melaleuca platycalyx is a spreading shrub that can grow up to about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and wide. It has smooth leaves, meaning they have no hairs. The leaves are arranged in a special way: they grow in alternating pairs, so there are four neat rows of leaves along the branches. Each leaf is about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long and 2 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. They are oval-shaped with a small point at the end and have clear veins and tiny oil glands.
The flowers are pink or purple and grow in short groups on the sides of the branches. Each group has 2 to 4 individual flowers and is about 16 millimeters (0.6 inches) wide. The petals are 3 to 4 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long, fold downwards, and fall off as the flower gets older. The stamens are grouped into five bundles around the flower, with 25 to 36 stamens in each bundle. This plant usually flowers in spring and early summer. After the flowers, it grows woody fruits that are 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long and about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) wide. These fruits are attached right to the branches.
How It Got Its Name
The plant Melaleuca platycalyx was first officially described in 1904 by a scientist named Ludwig Diels. He wrote about it in a book called Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. The second part of its name, platycalyx, comes from two old Greek words. Platús means "flat," and kalyx means "cup" or "cover of a flower." This name likely refers to the shape of a part of the flower called the hypanthium.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find Melaleuca platycalyx in several areas of Western Australia. These areas include places around Latham, Ongerup, and Lake King. It grows in different natural regions like the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, and Mallee. This plant prefers to grow in sandy and gravelly soils on flat sandy areas and near large granite rocks.
Is It Endangered?
Good news! The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca platycalyx is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Growing It at Home
This plant is not very common in gardens, but it can be grown in places that are not too humid, like the east coast of Australia. While other melaleuca plants might have more colorful flowers, the unique leaves and fruits of Melaleuca platycalyx make it an interesting choice for a garden. It is considered a moderately tough plant once it's established.
