Petrophile prostrata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petrophile prostrata |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Petrophile
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| Species: |
prostrata
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Petrophile prostrata is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the Proteaceae family, which includes many unique Australian plants. This plant only grows naturally in the southwestern part of Western Australia. It's a low-growing shrub, meaning it spreads out close to the ground. It has leaves that look like needles, but they aren't usually sharp. Its flowers grow in round bunches and are pale yellow or cream-coloured and a bit hairy.
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What it Looks Like
Petrophile prostrata is a shrub that grows very low to the ground. It usually reaches about 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) tall. Its branches are often covered by sand.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are shaped like needles. They can be quite long, from 20 to 32 centimeters (about 8 to 12.5 inches). Each leaf is about 1 to 2 millimeters wide. Sometimes, the leaves grow very close together on one side of the stems. The very tip of each leaf has a small, slightly hooked point.
The flowers usually grow at the ends of the branches. They form round, ball-shaped clusters. These flower heads are about 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters (1.4 to 2.2 inches) across. Underneath the flower heads, there are special leaf-like parts called involucral bracts. These bracts are shaped like eggs and are spread out along the stems.
The flowers themselves are about 1.8 to 2.7 centimeters (0.7 to 1.1 inches) long. They are pale yellow or cream-coloured and feel a bit hairy. This plant mostly blooms from late August to mid-November. After flowering, it produces a type of fruit called a nut. These nuts are joined together in an oval-shaped head, which is about 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1 inch) wide.
Plant Name and History
The scientific name for this plant, Petrophile prostrata, was first officially given in 2005. It was described by two scientists, Barbara Lynette Rye and Michael Clyde Hislop. They wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of the plant's name, prostrata, is a Latin word. It means "lying on the ground." This name perfectly describes how the plant grows, spreading low across the land. The scientists found the first official sample of this plant in 1999. It was in the Fitzgerald River National Park.
Where it Grows
This type of petrophile plant grows in special areas called heathland and shrubland. Heathland is an open area with low-growing shrubs and plants. Shrubland is similar, with many shrubs.
You can find Petrophile prostrata in Western Australia. It grows from near a town called Jerramungup all the way to near Hopetoun. It is also found in many places within the beautiful Fitzgerald River National Park.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants and animals. They have classified Petrophile prostrata as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these plants in the wild, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.
