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Mountain celery facts for kids

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Mountain celery
Anisotome procumbens, alpine snowpatch vegetation, Snowy South (2519837911).jpg
Scientific classification
Genus:
Anisotome
Species:
procumbens
Anisotome procumbens distribution map.svg
Synonyms
  • Gingidium procumbens' F.Muell.
  • Aciphylla procumbens' (F.Muell.) Benth.

Anisotome procumbens, also known as the mountain celery, is a small plant. It's a type of herb that lives for many years. This special plant grows only in Tasmania, a state in Australia. You can mostly find it in high, mountainous areas. These are usually in the west and south-west parts of the island.

What is Taxonomy?

Taxonomy is like sorting and naming living things. Scientists use it to give every plant and animal a unique name. This helps everyone know exactly which species they are talking about.

Naming the Mountain Celery

The Anisotome procumbens was first named Gingidium procumbens. It was named by a scientist called Ferdinand von Mueller. He studied plants collected by A. Oldfield from Mount La Perouse in Tasmania.

What Does it Look Like?

The mountain celery is a plant that grows in a mat or cushion shape. It has shiny, bright green leaves. These leaves are deeply divided, like a fern. They grow in a circle at the base of the plant, called a basal rosette.

Flowers and Where it Grows

The plant also has a special flower cluster called an umbel. This is common for plants in its family. You can find healthy groups of Anisotome procumbens on some mountain tops in south-eastern Tasmania. These include places like Adamsons Peak and Hartz Peak. In these areas, a single mat of the plant can grow to be over 2 meters wide!

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