Philotheca kalbarriensis facts for kids
Philotheca kalbarriensis is a special kind of flowering plant. It's a shrub that grows only in Western Australia. This plant is known for its reddish-brown branches and small, narrow leaves. It also has pretty white flowers that grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem.
Quick facts for kids Philotheca kalbarriensis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
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| Species: |
kalbarriensis
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Contents
What Does This Plant Look Like?
Philotheca kalbarriensis is a shrub, which means it's a woody plant smaller than a tree. It can grow to be about 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its branches are a reddish-brown color.
The leaves on this plant are packed closely together. They are narrow and shaped a bit like a spindle, which is wider in the middle and pointy at the ends. Each leaf is about 4 millimeters long and has a small groove on its top surface.
The flowers grow one at a time where the leaves join the stem. They sit on tiny stalks called pedicels, which are only 1 to 2 millimeters long. Each flower has five thick, triangle-shaped parts called sepals, which are about 0.7 millimeters long. It also has five white, egg-shaped petals that are about 3 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide. Inside the flower, there are ten hairy stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens are separate from each other.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Philotheca kalbarriensis was officially named in 1998. A botanist named Paul Wilson gave it its formal description. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The plant was first found in 1996. Two other botanists, Greg Keighery and Neil Gibson, collected samples of it. They found these samples in the Kalbarri National Park. The plant's name, kalbarriensis, comes from this park.
Where Does It Grow?
This type of philotheca plant grows in woodland areas. You can find it in Western Australia, from the town of Kalbarri all the way to near Mullewa.
Is It Protected?
The government of Western Australia keeps track of special plants like this one. The Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Philotheca kalbarriensis a "Priority Two" status.
This means that the plant is not very well known. It has only been found in one or a few places. This status helps protect the plant and its habitat.
