Melaleuca punicea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca punicea |
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Melaleuca
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punicea
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The Melaleuca punicea is a special plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is found only in the Northern Territory of Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one place, it's called endemic.
Scientists sometimes have a hard time classifying this plant. It has some features that make it tricky to place in the right group. It was first named Melaleuca punicea in 1984. Then, in 1986, it was moved to a different group called Regelia. But it still didn't quite fit there.
Later, in 1999, it was moved again to a brand new group called Petraeomyrtus. However, new studies of its DNA, especially from its chloroplasts, showed something interesting. These studies suggested it really belongs back in the Melaleuca group. This group also includes other plants like Beaufortia, Callistemon, and Regelia. So, today, it is known as Melaleuca punicea once more.
What Does It Look Like?
Melaleuca punicea is a type of shrub. It spreads out and can grow up to about 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) tall. Its leaves are quite small. They are usually between 0.8 and 2 millimeters long. They are also very narrow, about 0.5 to 0.9 millimeters wide. The leaves have no clear stalk and are shaped like a narrow triangle. If you cut one in half, it would look almost like a crescent moon.
The flowers of this plant are very bright. They can be a vivid red or a striking orange-red color. These flowers grow in clusters, called heads. Each head can have up to 15 individual flowers. Inside each flower, there are five groups of stamens. Stamens are the parts that make pollen. Each group has about 9 to 13 stamens.
This plant blooms during the dry season in Australia. You can see its flowers from January to November. But it flowers most often between June and August. After the flowers, the plant grows fruits. These fruits are shaped like cups. They are not as woody as the fruits of most other melaleuca plants.
Its Scientific Name
The plant was first officially named Melaleuca punicea in 1984. This was done by a botanist named Norman Byrnes. He published its description in a scientific paper called Austrobaileya. As we learned, its name changed a few times. It was called Regelia punicea for a while. Then it became Petraeomyrtus punicea. Finally, it returned to its current name, Melaleuca punicea.
The second part of its scientific name, punicea, comes from a Latin word. The Latin word puniceus means "purplish-red." This name refers to the beautiful color of the stamens in its flowers.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find Melaleuca punicea growing in a special part of Australia. It lives in Arnhem Land. This area is known for its sandstone cliffs and rocky landscapes. Specifically, it grows on the sandstone escarpments within the famous Kakadu National Park.
