Philotheca citrina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philotheca citrina |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
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| Species: |
citrina
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Philotheca citrina is a special kind of flowering plant. It is a bushy shrub that grows only in Western Australia. This plant has many branches and its leaves are shaped like narrow clubs. They are also curved. The name citrina comes from its pale yellowish-green flowers. These flowers grow one by one at the end of its small branches.
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About the Citrine Waxflower
The Philotheca citrina is a shrub with many branches. It can grow up to 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) (about 4 feet) tall. Its leaves are narrow and curved, like a small club. They are about 10 mm (0.39 in) long. The leaves also have tiny bumps called warty glands and a sharp tip.
Flowers and How They Grow
The flowers of this plant are a pale yellowish-green color. They grow one at a time at the end of the small branches. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk called a pedicel, which is about 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long.
The flower has parts that protect it. There are five broad, egg-shaped sepals, which are like small leaves at the base of the flower. They are about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. Above these are five broad, oval-shaped petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower. These petals are about 10 mm (0.39 in) long.
Inside the flower, there are ten stamens. Stamens are the parts that make pollen. These stamens are a bit hairy and are joined together at their bottom parts. The Philotheca citrina usually blooms from May to September.
Naming the Citrine Waxflower
The plant Philotheca citrina was officially named in 1992. A scientist named Paul Wilson gave it this name. He described it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant was found by Raymond Jeffrey Cranfield in the Murchison area.
Where the Citrine Waxflower Lives
This type of philotheca plant grows in a special kind of rocky area. It likes places with granite rocks that have broken away from larger formations. You can find it near the Murchison River area, which is east of Shark Bay in Western Australia.
Protecting the Citrine Waxflower
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given this plant a special protection status. It is listed as "Priority One". This means that the Philotheca citrina is known to grow in only a few places. These places could be at risk, so it's very important to protect this unique plant.
