Persoonia flexifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Persoonia flexifolia |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Persoonia
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| Species: |
flexifolia
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The Persoonia flexifolia is a special plant that belongs to the Proteaceae family. It grows only in the southwest part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area, found nowhere else in the world! This plant is a straight-standing shrub with long, thin leaves. Its flowers grow alone or in small groups of up to three, along a short stem called a rachis.
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What Does Persoonia flexifolia Look Like?
The Persoonia flexifolia is a shrub that stands upright. Its young branches are covered with soft, whitish or greyish hairs. The leaves are usually long and narrow, like a stretched oval shape. They are about 10 to 25 millimeters (that's about 0.4 to 1 inch) long and 1.8 to 3 millimeters wide. Often, these leaves are twisted, sometimes even a full half-turn!
Flowers and Flowering Time
The flowers of this plant grow either by themselves, in pairs, or in groups of three. They are found along a very short stem called a rachis, which is only about 4 millimeters long. After the plant flowers, this rachis can grow into a leafy shoot. Each flower sits on its own small stalk, called a pedicel, which is about 1.5 to 3 millimeters long.
The flower parts that look like petals are called tepals. They are also long and narrow, about 10 to 12 millimeters long. The outside of these tepals is smooth, without hairs. Inside the flowers, the parts that hold pollen, called anthers, curve outwards near their tips. You can usually see these plants flowering during December and January.
How Was Persoonia flexifolia Named?
The scientific name Persoonia flexifolia was first officially written down in 1810. This was done by a famous botanist named Robert Brown. He described the plant in a scientific book called Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.
Where Does Persoonia flexifolia Grow?
This type of geebung plant has only been found in a few places. These places are Lucky Bay and the Lort River. Both of these spots are in the Esperance Plains area of Western Australia. It grows in a type of low, bushy plant community called "heath."
Why Is Persoonia flexifolia Special?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Persoonia flexifolia a special classification. It is called "Priority One." This means that the plant is known from only one or a few locations. Because of this, it could be at risk of disappearing. Protecting these areas is very important to keep this unique plant safe.
