Outcrop guinea-flower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Outcrop guinea-flower |
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| subspecies recondita in flower at Mount Elizabeth |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Hibbertia
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| Species: |
hermanniifolia
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The Hibbertia hermanniifolia, often called the outcrop guinea-flower, is a type of shrub that grows naturally in eastern Australia. This plant can grow up to 150 centimeters (about 5 feet) tall. It has interesting leaves that can be spoon-shaped, wedge-shaped, or wider at the tip, and they are usually between 5 and 30 millimeters long. In spring and early autumn, you can see bright yellow flowers with five petals on this shrub.
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About the Outcrop Guinea-Flower
The outcrop guinea-flower is a beautiful plant found in parts of Australia. It's known for its bright yellow flowers that bring a splash of color to its habitat. The plant's name, "outcrop guinea-flower," comes from where it often grows: on rocky outcrops.
What the Plant Looks Like
This shrub can reach a height of about 1.5 meters, which is taller than many kids! Its leaves are quite unique. They can be shaped in a few different ways:
- Spathulate: This means they are spoon-shaped, wider at the top and narrower at the base.
- Cuneate: These leaves are wedge-shaped, wider at the tip and tapering down to a point at the base.
- Oblanceolate: This shape is like a spearhead, but wider at the tip and narrowing towards the base.
No matter the exact shape, the leaves are fairly small, usually less than an inch long. The flowers are a cheerful yellow and have five petals, making them easy to spot when they bloom from spring through early autumn.
How it Was Discovered
The Hibbertia hermanniifolia was officially described in 1817. This important task was done by a Swiss botanist named Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. Botanists are scientists who study plants, and describing a species means giving it a formal scientific name and a detailed description so others can identify it.
Different Types of Outcrop Guinea-Flower
Scientists have found that there are two main types, or "subspecies," of the outcrop guinea-flower. A subspecies is a group of plants within a species that has slight differences and usually lives in a specific area.
The two recognized subspecies are:
- H. hermanniifolia subsp. hermanniifolia: This type is found in New South Wales.
- H. hermanniifolia subsp. recondita: This type grows in both New South Wales and Victoria. The original plant used to describe this subspecies was found at Mount Elizabeth No 2 in Victoria.
