Silky geebung facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silky geebung |
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| Persoonia sericea near Carnarvon Gorge | |
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| Genus: |
Persoonia
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| Species: |
sericea
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The Persoonia sericea, also known as the silky geebung, is a special plant found only in eastern Australia. It belongs to the plant family called Proteaceae. This plant is a type of shrub that has soft, hairy yellow flowers. Its young branches and leaves are also covered in silky hairs, which is how it got its name!
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What the Silky Geebung Looks Like
The silky geebung is a shrub that can grow straight up or spread out. Its leaves and young branches are covered in soft, silky hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves are shaped like a spear or an egg, with the narrower part at the bottom. Some leaves are also shaped like a spatula. They are about 1.5 to 6 centimeters (0.6 to 2.4 inches) long and 0.2 to 2.1 centimeters (0.08 to 0.8 inches) wide.
The flowers are also hairy and grow either alone or in small groups where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk, called a pedicel, which is about 0.2 to 1.2 centimeters (0.08 to 0.5 inches) long.
Flower Parts
Each flower has four parts, called tepals, that are about 0.9 to 1.1 centimeters (0.35 to 0.43 inches) long. These tepals are joined at the bottom, but their tips curl back. In the middle of the flower, there's a central part called a style. Around the style are four yellow parts called anthers. These anthers are also joined at their base, and their tips curl back. If you look at the flower from the end, it looks like a cross! The part of the flower that holds the seeds, called the ovary, is very hairy.
How the Silky Geebung Got Its Name
The silky geebung was first officially described in 1830. A botanist named Robert Brown wrote about it, using notes from another botanist, Allan Cunningham. Cunningham had collected a sample of the plant near the Lachlan River. The plant's scientific name, sericea, comes from a Latin word that means "silky." This perfectly describes the plant's soft, hairy feel!
Where the Silky Geebung Grows
You can find the silky geebung growing in woodlands and forests. In New South Wales, it grows north of a town called Grenfell. It also grows in the southeastern part of Queensland.
Silky Geebung's Life Cycle and Habitat
Scientists have seen young silky geebung plants growing in clumps from decaying kangaroo dung near Brisbane. This shows how the plant's seeds can spread and grow in new places!
