Phebalium drummondii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phebalium drummondii |
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| Genus: |
Phebalium
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| Species: |
drummondii
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Phebalium drummondii is a type of small bush found only in Western Australia. It's special because it grows naturally nowhere else in the world! This plant has smooth stems covered in shiny, silver scales. Its leaves are broad and oval-shaped, with silver scales on the underside. You can spot it by its bright yellow flowers, which grow in umbrella-like clusters at the end of its branches.
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What Does Phebalium drummondii Look Like?
Phebalium drummondii is a bush that usually grows to be about 0.6–1.5 m (2 ft 0 in – 4 ft 11 in) tall. Its small branches are very smooth and covered in tiny, silver, scale-like hairs.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of this plant feel a bit like leather. They are oval or egg-shaped, with the narrower part closer to the stem. Each leaf is about 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) wide. They grow on a very short stalk called a petiole. The top of the leaf is smooth, but the bottom is covered with those pretty silver scales.
Flowers
The flowers are a bright, sunny yellow. They grow in clusters called umbels, which look a bit like tiny umbrellas. Each cluster usually has three to six flowers. The plant has five sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These sepals are about 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.118 in) long. They are joined together for half their length and have silver scales on the outside. The petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower, are egg-shaped or oval. They are about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.138 in) wide. The petals also have silver scales on their outer side. This plant blooms from July to September.
How Phebalium drummondii Got Its Name
The plant Phebalium drummondii was first officially described in 1863. This was done by a famous botanist named George Bentham. He wrote about it in his book Flora Australiensis. The plant was named after James Drummond, who was the person who collected the first samples of this plant.
Where Phebalium drummondii Lives
This special phebalium plant grows in areas called shrublands. You can find it on flat ground and along roadsides. It lives in the Merredin and Newdegate areas of Western Australia.
Is Phebalium drummondii Safe?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given this plant a "Priority Three" status. This means we don't know a lot about it yet. It's only found in a few places. However, it's not in immediate danger of disappearing. Scientists are still keeping an eye on it to make sure it stays safe.
