Mt. Berryman phebalium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mt. Berryman phebalium |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phebalium
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| Species: |
distans
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| Synonyms | |
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Phebalium squamulosum subsp. squamulosum auct. non Vent.: Wilson, Paul G. (1970) |
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The Phebalium distans, also known as the Mt. Berryman phebalium, is a special kind of small tree. It is found only in south-east Queensland, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
This tree is often covered in shiny, silver or rust-colored scales. Its branches have small bumps. It has long, thin leaves and pretty creamy-yellow flowers. These flowers grow in clusters that look a bit like umbrellas.
Contents
Discovering the Mt. Berryman Phebalium
The Mt. Berryman phebalium is a tree that can grow up to 8 m (26 ft) (about 26 feet) tall. When it's young, it looks more like a bush. Most of the tree is covered in tiny, shiny scales. These scales can be silver or a rusty color. The top of its leaves and its flower petals do not have these scales.
Its branches have small, warty bumps. The leaves are long and thin, like a line. The top side of the leaves is smooth and shiny green. The bottom side is covered with many scales. Each leaf is about 14–62 mm (0.55–2.44 in) long and 0.5–0.8 mm (0.020–0.031 in) wide. They grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is about 1.7–3 mm (0.067–0.118 in) long.
The flowers are creamy yellow. They grow in clusters called umbels at the ends of the branches. Each flower has its own small stalk, called a pedicel, about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long. The outer part of the flower, called the calyx, is shaped like a top. It is about 1 mm (0.039 in) long and has warty bumps on the outside. The petals are oval-shaped and about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. The back of the petals is covered in scales. This tree usually blooms in August and September.
Naming the Mt. Berryman Phebalium
The Phebalium distans was officially named in 2003. It was named by a scientist named Paul Irwin Forster. He wrote about it in a science journal called Austrobaileya. He had collected samples of the tree in 1990 from the Coalstoun Lakes National Park.
Where the Mt. Berryman Phebalium Lives
The Mt. Berryman phebalium grows in or near special forests called vine thickets. It can be found in a few specific places in south-east Queensland. These places include Mt. Berryman, the Mt. Jones Plateau, and Mt. Walla.
Protecting the Mt. Berryman Phebalium
This special phebalium tree is in serious trouble. The Australian government lists it as "critically endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. The Queensland government also lists it as "endangered."
Many things threaten this tree. These include:
- Clearing away its natural home (vegetation clearing).
- Work done on roads nearby (road maintenance).
- New buildings and towns being built (urban development).
- Other plants, called weeds, growing and taking over its space (weed invasion).
