Philotheca glabra facts for kids

Philotheca glabra is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. This plant is endemic to the inland south-west of Western Australia, meaning it grows naturally only in that area. It is a small bush with unique leaves and pretty white flowers that have a touch of pink. These flowers usually grow alone or in small groups on the ends of its branches.

What it Looks Like

Philotheca glabra is a small bush that grows about 0.5 to 1.6 meters (about 1.5 to 5 feet) tall. Its branches have a rough, cork-like feel.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of this plant are tiny, only 2 to 3 millimeters long. They can be oval-shaped or wider at the tip, like a small club. They also have tiny bumps called glands.

The flowers grow alone, or in groups of two or three, at the ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a small stalk called a pedicel, which is 1 to 4 millimeters long.

Flower Parts

Each flower has five small, egg-shaped or round sepals. These are like tiny leaves that protect the flower bud, and they are about 1.5 millimeters long. There are also five white petals, which are oval-shaped and have a hint of pink on their backs. These petals are about 7 millimeters long.

Inside the flower, there are ten stamens. Stamens are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens are separate from each other and have a soft, woolly texture.

When it Blooms

Philotheca glabra blooms from July to October. After flowering, it produces a small fruit that is about 3 millimeters long.

How it Got its Name

This plant was first officially described in 1970 by a scientist named Paul Wilson. He first named it Eriostemon glaber. He published his description in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant specimens he studied were collected by Max Koch near Cowcowing in 1904. Later, in 1998, Paul Wilson changed the plant's name to Philotheca glabra in the same journal.

Where it Grows

You can find Philotheca glabra growing in heathland areas. These are open areas with low-growing shrubs. It grows between the towns of Mullewa and Wubin in the inland south-west part of Western Australia.

Conservation Status

The Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia) has classified this plant as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these plants in the wild, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.