Philotheca apiculata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philotheca apiculata |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Philotheca
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| Species: |
apiculata
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Philotheca apiculata is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits like oranges! This plant is only found in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a small shrub with unique leaves and pretty white or pink flowers.
What Does It Look Like?
Philotheca apiculata is a small shrub that usually grows up to about 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its stems often have a waxy coating.
The leaves are narrow and shaped a bit like a club. They are about 4 to 8 millimeters long (that's less than half an inch!). These leaves have tiny, warty bumps called glands and end with a small black tip.
The flowers are quite small and grow in groups of one to four at the ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk called a pedicel, which is only about 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters long.
Each flower has five triangular sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the bud. They are about 2 millimeters long. Then there are five oblong (oval-shaped) petals, which are the pretty white to pink parts of the flower, about 6 millimeters long. Inside, there are ten stamens (the parts that make pollen), and they are reddish near their tips.
This plant usually blooms from July to September. After flowering, it produces small, beaked fruits that are about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long.
How It Got Its Name
Scientists give every plant a special two-part name, like a first and last name, so everyone knows exactly which plant they are talking about.
This plant was first officially described in 1970 by a scientist named Paul Wilson. He first named it Eriostemon apiculatus. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia, using plant samples he found near Norseman.
Later, in 1998, Paul Wilson decided to change its name to Philotheca apiculata in the same journal. This new name helps group it with similar plants.
Where Does It Live?
Philotheca apiculata grows in specific areas in Western Australia. You can find it near Holleton and Norseman. It likes to grow on a special kind of ground called ultramafic rock. This type of rock has a unique mix of minerals.
Is It Protected?
Yes, this plant is considered special and needs protection! The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Philotheca apiculata as "Priority One".
This means that the plant is known from only a few places, and these places might be at risk. Because it's so rare, scientists and conservationists are working to make sure it stays safe and doesn't disappear.
