Persoonia brevirhachis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Persoonia brevirhachis |
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|---|---|
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| Near Lake Grace | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Persoonia
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| Species: |
brevirhachis
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The Persoonia brevirhachis is a special type of flowering plant that belongs to the Proteaceae family. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area. This plant is usually a shrub that stands upright, but it can also spread out. It has smooth bark and leaves that are shaped a bit like a spatula or a spear, with the narrower end at the bottom. Its flowers are yellow to greenish-yellow and grow either alone or in pairs where the leaves meet the stem.
What it Looks Like
Persoonia brevirhachis is a shrub that can grow from 0.3 to 2 millimeters tall. It has smooth, patchy grey bark and its small branches are a bit hairy. The leaves are shaped like a narrow spatula or a spear, with the narrower end closer to the stem. They are usually 20 to 50 millimeters long and 2.5 to 5.5 millimeters wide.
The flowers grow either by themselves or in pairs where the leaves join the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk called a pedicel, which is about 1.5 to 5 millimeters long. The flower parts, called tepals (which are like petals), are yellow to greenish-yellow. They are 6.5 to 9 millimeters long and 1 to 1.5 millimeters wide, and they feel hairy on the outside. This plant usually blooms from August to October. After flowering, it produces a smooth, oval fruit called a drupe, which is about 4.5 to 5.5 millimeters long and 2 to 2.5 millimeters wide.
How it Got its Name
The Persoonia brevirhachis was officially named in 1994 by a scientist named Peter Weston. He wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. He named it after looking at plant samples that another person, Donald Bruce Foreman, had collected in 1984, south of Lake Grace.
Where it Grows
This type of geebung (which is another name for plants in the Persoonia group) grows in areas with low, shrubby plants called heathland. You can find it in the south-west of Western Australia, in the region between Lake Grace, Newdegate, and Ravensthorpe.
Protecting the Plant
The Persoonia brevirhachis is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife. This means that scientists don't know a lot about this plant, and it's only found in a few places. However, it's not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. This classification helps make sure that the plant is watched over and protected.
