Myoporum velutinum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Myoporum velutinum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myoporum
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| Species: |
velutinum
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| Synonyms | |
The Myoporum velutinum is a special plant that belongs to the figwort family. It grows only in a small area near Esperance in Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that region, found nowhere else in the world!
This plant looks a bit like another plant called Myoporum tetrandrum. They have similar flowers and fruits, and they grow in similar places. But the Myoporum velutinum is unique because it has tiny hairs on the outer edges of its petals. This is how you can tell it apart from other plants in its group.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Myoporum velutinum is a shrub that can sometimes grow quite tall, up to about 4 meters (about 13 feet). Its stems and leaves are covered in soft hairs, which makes it feel velvety. Unlike some other plants in its family, it does not have bumpy or warty surfaces.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant grow one after another along the stem. They are shaped like a spear, usually about 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long and 1 to 2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.6 inches) wide. They feel soft and hairy, and the top side is a darker green. You can also see a clear vein running down the middle of each leaf.
The flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem, usually in small groups of 1 to 5. Each flower sits on a short stalk, about 4 to 9 millimeters long. Each flower has 5 pointed parts called sepals and 5 petals that form a bell shape. The petals are usually white or a light purple color. Sometimes, you might see small spots inside the flower tube or at the base of the petals.
The flower tube is about 2.5 to 4 millimeters long, and the petal parts are about the same length. Both the inside and outside of the flower tube are hairy. There are 4 stamens (the parts that make pollen) that stick out a little bit from the flower.
Fruits
After the flowers bloom, they turn into small, oval-shaped fruits. These fruits are called drupes, which means they have a hard pit inside, like a peach or a cherry. They are about 3 to 4.5 millimeters long.
How It Was Named
The Myoporum velutinum was officially named in 2007 by a scientist named Bob Chinnock. He described it in his book about plants called Eremophila and allied genera: a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae. He found the first plant specimen near a place called Condingup.
The plant's scientific name, velutinum, comes from a Latin word that means "velvety." This name was chosen because of the soft, hairy feel of its leaves, which is called indumentum in botany.
Where It Grows
This special plant is found in a very small area near Cape Le Grand in Western Australia. It likes to grow along creeks in areas where there are many Melaleuca trees.
Protecting This Plant
The Myoporum velutinum is a very rare plant. The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed it as "Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora — Extant)." This means it is a plant that needs special protection because it is rare or might become extinct. Efforts are being made to help keep this unique plant safe for the future.
