Philotheca tomentella facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philotheca tomentella |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Near Baladjie Rock | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
|
| Species: |
tomentella
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Philotheca tomentella is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus plants. This plant is special because it only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a small shrub that doesn't grow very tall. It has tiny leaves that look like clubs or cylinders. Its flowers are white with a light red stripe in the middle. These flowers grow alone or in small groups of up to four at the end of its branches.
What it Looks Like
Philotheca tomentella is a small shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.3–1.0 m (1 ft 0 in – 3 ft 3 in) (1 to 3 feet) tall. Its small branches have tiny bumps, like warts, that are a bit sticky.
Its leaves are small, only about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long. They are shaped like clubs or cylinders. The top of the leaf is flat, and the bottom is rounded.
The flowers grow at the ends of the branches. They can be single or in groups of up to four. Each flower has a small stalk, called a pedicel, which is about 1.5–3 mm (0.059–0.118 in) long.
Each flower has five sepals. These are small, leaf-like parts that protect the bud. They are round or triangular, about 1 mm (0.039 in) long, with a tiny black tip. There are also five white petals. They are egg-shaped and have a pale red stripe down the middle. These petals are about 4–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long.
Inside the flower, there are ten stamens. These are the parts that make pollen. They are separate from each other. The top part of the stamen, called the anther, has a clear white attachment. This plant usually flowers from August to October. After flowering, it produces a fruit that is about 3.5 mm (0.14 in) long.
How it was Named
Scientists give every plant a special name. This helps everyone know exactly which plant they are talking about.
This plant was first described in 1904. Two scientists, Ludwig Diels and Ernst Georg Pritzel, gave it the name Erisotemon tomentellus. They wrote about it in a science journal called Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.
Later, in 1998, another scientist named Paul Wilson changed its name. He moved it to a different group of plants, so its new name became Philotheca tomentella. He published this change in the journal Nuytsia.
Where it Grows
This type of philotheca plant grows in a special kind of bushland. It likes sandy soil. You can find it in the south-west of Western Australia. It grows in areas between the Murchison Ranges, Lake Grace, and the Queen Victoria Spring area.
Conservation Status
It's important to know if plants are safe or if they are in danger of disappearing. This is called their "conservation status."
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Philotheca tomentella. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger.
