Phebalium speciosum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phebalium speciosum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phebalium
|
| Species: |
speciosum
|
Phebalium speciosum is a special type of shrub that grows only in a small part of New South Wales, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area. Its branches are covered with tiny, rust-coloured scales. The leaves are shaped like a spear or a narrow oval and have shiny silver and rust-coloured scales. Its pretty white or pale pink flowers grow in clusters called umbels, which look like tiny umbrellas. The back of the flower petals also have these silvery or rust-coloured scales.
Contents
What Does Phebalium speciosum Look Like?
Phebalium speciosum is a shrub that usually grows to be about 3 meters (almost 10 feet) tall. Its small branches are covered in tiny, rust-coloured scales.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of this plant are shaped like a spear or a narrow oval. They are about 2.5 to 8.5 centimeters (1 to 3.3 inches) long and 0.7 to 2.2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.9 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stem called a petiole that is about 3 to 5 millimeters long. The top side of the leaves is dark green with shiny silver scales. The bottom side is covered with both silver and rust-coloured scales.
Flowers
The flowers grow in small clusters called umbels, which look like tiny umbrellas. Each cluster has four to eight flowers and grows at the ends of the branches. The flowers don't have their own little stalks (they are sessile) but each individual flower sits on a scaly stalk called a pedicel, about 7.5 to 10 millimeters long.
The green parts that protect the flower bud, called sepals, are joined at their base. They form a cup-shaped structure called a calyx, which is about 4 to 5 millimeters long and wide. This calyx is also covered with silvery or rust-coloured scales. The petals are white to pale pink and are shaped like an egg or a narrow oval. They are about 8 to 10 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide, with scales on their back. You can usually see these flowers blooming from June to August, or sometimes in February.
Where Does Phebalium speciosum Grow?
This special plant grows in open forests or heathlands. You can find it at the bottom of volcanic rock formations and on top of cliffs. It is only known to grow in two places near a town called Urbenville in New South Wales.
Why Is Phebalium speciosum Important?
This plant is considered "critically endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Both the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government have laws to protect it. The biggest dangers to Phebalium speciosum are losing its natural home (habitat) and harmful plants (weeds) taking over its growing areas.
