Tinaroo bottlebrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tinaroo bottlebrush |
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| Melaleuca recurva in Maranoa Gardens | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
recurva
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| Synonyms | |
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Callistemon recurvus R.D. Spencer & Lumley |
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The Tinaroo bottlebrush, also known as Melaleuca recurva, is a special plant. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like eucalyptus. This plant is endemic to a specific area, meaning it only grows naturally in the higher parts of far northern Queensland, Australia.
It's a type of shrub that often has leaves with edges that curl under. You can spot it by its bright red flowers, which have yellow tips. These flowers grow in spikes and can be seen for most of the year!
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What Does the Tinaroo Bottlebrush Look Like?
The Tinaroo bottlebrush can be a shrub or a small tree. It can grow up to about 7 meters (23 feet) tall. It has bark that feels hard and fibrous.
Leaves and Branches
Its leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are usually 15 to 55 millimeters (0.6 to 2.2 inches) long. The leaves are flat and shaped like a narrow egg, getting thinner towards the end. If you look closely, you might see tiny oil glands scattered on them. Young leaves and branches are covered in fine, silky hairs.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers are a striking bright red with yellow tips. They grow in spikes at the ends of branches. These spikes are about 35 to 50 millimeters (1.4 to 2 inches) wide. Each flower has small petals that fall off as it gets older. There are many stamens (the parts that hold pollen) in each flower, usually between 26 and 36.
You can see the Tinaroo bottlebrush flowering throughout the year. However, it blooms most often during the cooler months. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are like small capsules, about 4.6 to 6.5 millimeters (0.18 to 0.26 inches) long.
How Was the Tinaroo Bottlebrush Named?
The scientific name Melaleuca recurva was first given in 2006 by a scientist named Lyndley Craven. Before that, it was known as Callistemon recurvus. The name recurva comes from a Latin word meaning "recurved." This refers to how the leaves often bend slightly backward.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which is a famous plant research center, now considers Callistemon recurvus to be the same plant as Melaleuca recurva.
Where Does the Tinaroo Bottlebrush Grow?
The Tinaroo bottlebrush lives in the higher areas of Queensland, Australia. You can find it from the Atherton Tableland all the way south to the Bowen district. It likes to grow in thick scrubland and on rocky areas near rivers.
Why Is This Plant Important to People?
People often grow the Tinaroo bottlebrush in gardens. This is because its beautiful flowers bloom for most of the year, making it a popular choice for horticulture (the art of growing plants).
