White-flowered philotheca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-flowered philotheca |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
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| Species: |
basistyla
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The white-flowered philotheca (scientific name: Philotheca basistyla) is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits like oranges and lemons! This plant is only found in one place: the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic there, which is a fancy word for "native only to this specific area." It's a small bush with unique club-shaped leaves and pretty white flowers. Each flower grows by itself at the end of a branch.
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About the White-Flowered Philotheca
The white-flowered philotheca is a small bush that can grow up to about 1 meter (or 3 feet) tall. Its branches feel a bit like cork. The leaves are thin and shaped like a club, about 10 millimeters (less than half an inch) long. They have tiny, bumpy spots called glands.
The flowers are white and grow one by one at the tips of the branches. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk, about 1 millimeter long. The flowers have five small, egg-shaped green parts called sepals, which protect the flower bud. They also have five white, oval-shaped petals, each about 6 millimeters long. Inside the flower, there are ten stamens (the parts that make pollen). These stamens are joined together for most of their length, forming a tube shape. You can usually see these beautiful white flowers blooming from August to October.
Discovery and Name
The white-flowered philotheca was first officially described in 1993. A scientist named Frans Hendricus Mollemans gave it its scientific name, Philotheca basistyla. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant was discovered near a town called Trayning.
Where It Lives
This special plant grows in thick bushland. You can find it north-west of a place called Southern Cross in the south-west of Western Australia. It likes to grow in areas with lots of other plants around it.
Protecting This Plant
The white-flowered philotheca is considered an "endangered" species by the Australian Government. This means there are not many of these plants left, and they are at risk of disappearing forever. Because of this, a special plan has been made to help it recover and survive.
It's also listed as "Threatened Flora" by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia). This shows how important it is to protect this plant.
Some of the main things that threaten the white-flowered philotheca include:
- Work done on roads and firebreaks (paths cleared to stop fires).
- Maintenance of pipelines that run through its habitat.
- Weeds that invade its living space and compete for resources.
- Rabbits that eat the plants.
Scientists and conservationists are working hard to protect this unique Australian plant so it can continue to grow and thrive.
