Phebalium brevifolium facts for kids

Phebalium brevifolium is a special kind of small bush. It is found only in Western Australia. This plant has bumpy stems and small, wedge-shaped leaves. It also grows pretty white flowers in clusters that look like tiny umbrellas.

What it Looks Like

Phebalium brevifolium is a shrub that usually grows to about 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in) tall. Its stems have small bumps on them. The leaves are tiny, about 2 mm (0.079 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide. They are shaped like a wedge, with the narrower end at the bottom.

Flowers

The flowers are white and grow in clusters of up to three. Each flower sits on a small stalk about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long. The outer part of the flower, called the calyx, is about 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long. It has bumps and is covered with tiny scales and star-shaped hairs on the outside. Inside, it has rusty-colored scales.

The petals are shaped like eggs, about 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.098 in) wide. They have rusty-colored scales on their back. This plant flowers from September to November.

How it Got its Name

This plant was first officially described in 1970. A scientist named Paul Wilson wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. He studied plants collected by Richard Helms in 1891. These plants were found near Queen Victoria Spring.

Paul Wilson first named it Phebalium tuberculosum subsp. brachyphyllum. Later, in another issue of Nuytsia, he changed its name to P. brevifolium.

Where it Lives

Phebalium brevifolium grows on flat, sandy areas. It is only known to grow near Cundeelee and Queen Victoria Spring. Both of these places are in Western Australia.

Conservation Status

The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife says this plant is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.