Sickle-leaved waxflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sickle-leaved waxflower |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
|
| Species: |
falcata
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The sickle-leaved waxflower (Philotheca falcata) is a special flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus plants. This unique shrub is found only in a small part of Western Australia. It's known for its narrow, curved leaves and pretty white flowers.
Contents
What is the Sickle-leaved Waxflower?
The sickle-leaved waxflower is a small, bushy shrub. It usually grows to be about 15 to 25 centimeters tall. Its branches have tiny, warty bumps called glands.
How to Spot It: Description
The leaves of this plant are narrow and shaped like a club. They are also curved, like a sickle, which gives the plant its name. Each leaf is about 6 millimeters long and has small, warty glands.
The flowers grow one by one at the end of the branches. Each flower sits on a short stalk, about 2 millimeters long. They have five triangular green parts called sepals, which are about 3 millimeters long. There are also five white, oval-shaped petals, each about 7 millimeters long. Inside the flower, you'll find ten hairy stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. The plant usually flowers in October.
How It Got Its Name
This plant was first officially described in 1970 by a scientist named Paul G. Wilson. He first called it Eriostemon falcatus. Later, in 1998, he changed its name to Philotheca falcata. The word "falcata" comes from Latin and means "sickle-shaped," referring to the plant's curved leaves.
Where Does It Live?
The sickle-leaved waxflower is very rare. It has only been found in a few places in Western Australia. These areas include woodlands near Southern Cross and Holleton.
Why Is It Endangered?
This plant is in serious trouble. The Australian Government lists it as "critically endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. The main reason it's endangered is because its natural home is being changed or cleared. Protecting these areas is very important to help the sickle-leaved waxflower survive.
