Melaleuca ryeae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca ryeae |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Foliage and flowers of Melaleuca ryeae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
|
| Species: |
ryeae
|
Melaleuca ryeae is a type of plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is found only in the southwest part of Western Australia. It is a small bush that looks a lot like another plant called Melaleuca amydra.
Both plants have small leaves and many pink to purple flowers. However, Melaleuca amydra has thinner leaves (about 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide). Also, Melaleuca ryeae has round groups of fruits, which Melaleuca amydra does not.
Contents
What Melaleuca ryeae Looks Like
Melaleuca ryeae is a small bush that can grow up to 1.5 to 2.5 meters (about 5 to 8 feet) tall. Its new branches often have soft, woolly hairs. The leaves grow one after another along the stem.
These leaves are usually 3 to 4 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) long. They are flat and shaped like an egg, with the narrower part at the bottom.
The flowers are pink and grow in clusters at the ends of most branches. Sometimes, they also appear where the upper leaves meet the stem. These flower clusters can be up to 25 millimeters (about 1 inch) wide. Each cluster has 8 to 15 smaller groups of three flowers.
The petals are about 2.5 to 3.3 millimeters long and fall off as the flower gets older. Inside the flower, there are five groups of stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. Each group has 5 to 9 stamens.
Flowering and Fruit
Melaleuca ryeae usually blooms in the spring. After the flowers, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are hard, woody capsules shaped like cups. They are about 2.5 to 4 millimeters long. You can usually find them in almost round clusters along the stem.
How Melaleuca ryeae Got Its Name
The plant Melaleuca ryeae was officially described in 1999. This was done by a scientist named Lyndley Craven. He wrote about it in a science journal called Australian Systematic Botany. The plant was first found about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) north of Badgingarra.
The second part of its name, ryeae, is a special way to honor someone. It was named after Barbara Rye. She is a botanist, which is a scientist who studies plants. Barbara Rye spent a lot of time studying the Myrtaceae family, which Melaleuca ryeae belongs to.
Where Melaleuca ryeae Grows
This type of melaleuca plant is found in a few areas in Western Australia. These areas include Arrino, Eneabba, and Bullsbrook. It grows in different types of natural areas, like swamps and places that get wet during certain seasons. You can also find it growing on sandy plains.
Protecting Melaleuca ryeae
The government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have listed Melaleuca ryeae as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these plants, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
Using Melaleuca ryeae in Gardens
People sometimes grow Melaleuca ryeae in their gardens. It grows well in places that have a mild climate and get rain in winter. When grown, it forms a neat, compact bush. It is especially pretty when it is covered in its pink flowers.
