Phymatocarpus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phymatocarpus |
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| Phymatocarpus maxwellii growing in Kings Park, Perth | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Subfamily: | Myrtoideae |
| Tribe: | Melaleuceae |
| Genus: | Phymatocarpus F.Muell. |
Phymatocarpus is a group of flowering plants. They belong to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes eucalyptus trees. These plants are special because they are found only in the southwest part of Western Australia. All three types of Phymatocarpus are shrubs. They have pretty pink to purple flowers.
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What Phymatocarpus Plants Look Like
Plants in the Phymatocarpus group are shrubs. They usually grow to be about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) tall. Their leaves are small and have tiny dots on them. These dots are actually oil glands.
The flowers grow in round clusters. You can find these clusters at the ends of the branches. Each flower has 5 oval-shaped sepals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. There are also 5 petals.
Inside the flower, there can be up to 75 stamens. Stamens are the parts that make pollen. These stamens form a ring around the base of the flower. Above this ring, they join together in 5 small groups or "bundles." The stamens are longer than the petals. Their pink to purple color gives the flowers their beautiful look. After the flower blooms, it forms a woody fruit. This fruit is called a capsule.
How Phymatocarpus Got Its Name
The Phymatocarpus group was first described in 1862. This was done by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He worked for the government of Victoria. He wrote about it in his book Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. The first species he described was Phymatocarpus porphyrocephalus.
The name Phymatocarpus comes from Ancient Greek words. Phymatos means "lump" or "swelling." Karpós means "fruit." So, the name means "lumpy fruit." This is because the fruit capsules of these plants are a bit lumpy.
The three known species in this group are:
- Phymatocarpus interioris Craven
- Phymatocarpus maxwellii F.Muell.
- Phymatocarpus porphyrocephalus F.Muell.
Where Phymatocarpus Plants Grow
All three types of Phymatocarpus plants grow in sandy soils. They are found in the southwest part of Western Australia. This area is known for its unique plants.
Protecting Phymatocarpus Plants
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife checks on these plants. They classify all species of Phymatocarpus as "not threatened." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
