Melaleuca similis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca similis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
similis
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Melaleuca similis is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, which includes many well-known trees and shrubs. This plant is found only in the southwest part of Western Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, it's called endemic.
Melaleuca similis is a small shrub. It looks a bit like another plant called Melaleuca stramentosa. Both have narrow, almost round leaves and pretty pink to purple flowers. But Melaleuca similis doesn't have the fuzzy, matted hairs that you might see on the young leaves of M. stramentosa.
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What Does Melaleuca similis Look Like?
Melaleuca similis is a shrub that can grow up to about 0.6 m (2 ft) (or about 2 feet) tall. It has many leaves that grow close together.
Its leaves are quite small, usually 4–9.5 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 1–1.4 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide. They are long and thin, or shaped like a very narrow egg. If you cut a leaf in half, it would look almost perfectly round.
Its Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of Melaleuca similis are pink to purple. They grow in round clusters at the ends of the branches. Even after the flowers bloom, the branches keep growing. Sometimes, flowers also grow where the leaves meet the stem.
Each flower cluster can have up to four groups of three flowers. A whole cluster can be up to 12 mm (0.5 in) (about half an inch) across. The outside of the flower cup is a bit hairy. However, it doesn't have the thick, woolly hairs that M. stramentosa has.
The petals are small, about 1.2–1.7 mm (0.05–0.07 in) long. They fall off as the flower gets older. Inside the flower, there are five groups of stamens. Stamens are the parts of the flower that make pollen. Each group has 4 or 5 stamens.
Melaleuca similis usually flowers in October or November. After the flowers, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are woody capsules, which are like small seed pods. They are 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) long and grow in loose groups along the stem.
How Melaleuca similis Got Its Name
The plant Melaleuca similis was officially described in 1999. It was named by a scientist named Lyndley Craven. He wrote about it in a science journal called Australian Systematic Botany. He studied a plant sample that was found about 35 kilometres (20 mi) west of a place called Scaddan.
The second part of its name, similis, comes from a Latin word. It means "like" or "resembling." This name was chosen because Melaleuca similis looks very similar to other plants that grow nearby. These include Melaleuca plumea and Melaleuca stramentosa.
Where Does Melaleuca similis Grow?
Melaleuca similis is found in the Ravensthorpe area of Western Australia. This region is part of what scientists call the Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions. These are areas with similar types of plants and animals.
This plant likes to grow in sandy soil. You can often find it along areas where water flows, like small creeks or drainage lines.
Is Melaleuca similis Protected?
Yes, Melaleuca similis is a plant that needs protection. The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed it as "Priority One".
Being "Priority One" means that scientists don't know much about this plant yet. It's only found in a few places, which makes it special. Because it's rare and not widely known, it could be at risk. This listing helps make sure people are aware of it and work to protect it.
