Philotheca cymbiformis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philotheca cymbiformis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
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| Species: |
cymbiformis
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| Synonyms | |
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Philotheca cymbiformis is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus plants. This plant grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It is a small, low shrub that spreads out. It has thick, narrow leaves and pretty white and reddish-brown flowers. These flowers grow one by one at the ends of its branches.
What the Plant Looks Like
Philotheca cymbiformis is a small shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.1–0.5 m (3.9 in – 1 ft 7.7 in) tall. Its stems are greyish and smooth, meaning they have no hairs.
Its leaves are narrow and oval-shaped. They are also a bit thick or "fleshy." Each leaf is about 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long. They can be smooth or have tiny, wart-like bumps called glands.
The flowers grow one at a time. You can find them at the very ends of the plant's small branches. Each flower sits on a tiny stalk called a pedicel, which is about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long.
Each flower has five small, triangular parts called sepals. These are about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long. It also has five white petals that look like an egg. Each petal is about 6 mm (0.24 in) long and has a reddish-brown stripe. Inside the flower, there are ten stamens. These are the parts that make pollen. The stamens are separate from each other and have lots of tiny hairs near their base.
This plant usually flowers from September to November.
How it Got its Name
The scientific name of a plant helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about. This plant was first officially described in 1971. A scientist named Paul Wilson gave it the name Eriostemon cymbiformis. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. He had found samples of the plant in the Fitzgerald River Reserve.
Later, in 1998, Paul Wilson decided to change the plant's name. He renamed it Philotheca cymbiformis. This new name was also published in the same journal.
Where it Grows
Philotheca cymbiformis is a special plant because it is endemic to a specific area. This means it only grows naturally in one place in the world. For this plant, that place is the Fitzgerald River National Park in Western Australia. It likes to grow in sandy soil there.
Protecting This Plant
The government of Western Australia keeps track of plants that might be at risk. Philotheca cymbiformis is listed as "Priority Two" by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
This "Priority Two" status means a few things:
- Scientists don't know a lot about this plant yet.
- It has only been found in one or a very few places.
This status helps make sure the plant is protected and studied so it can continue to grow in its natural home.
