Prickly waxflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prickly waxflower |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Philotheca
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| Species: |
pungens
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The Philotheca pungens, also known as the prickly waxflower, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus plants. This plant grows naturally only in south-eastern Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area. It's a small, low-growing shrub with thin, needle-like leaves. Its pretty white flowers usually grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem.
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What is the Prickly Waxflower Like?
The prickly waxflower is a small shrub that usually grows up to about 60 centimeters (2 feet) tall. Sometimes, it even lies flat on the ground. Its leaves are thin and shaped like needles or narrow rectangles. They are about 8 to 12 millimeters long. The top of the leaf is flat, but the bottom has a noticeable ridge, like the keel of a boat.
Understanding the Prickly Waxflower's Flowers
The flowers of the prickly waxflower are usually white. Sometimes, they can have a pink tint on the back. Each flower grows on a small stalk called a pedicel, which is about 3 to 5 millimeters long. At the base of this stalk, there are tiny, spear-shaped leaves called bracteoles. The flower has small, fleshy parts called sepals, which are about 1 millimeter long and round. The main parts of the flower, the petals, are egg-shaped and about 4 millimeters long. Inside the flower, the stamens (which produce pollen) are covered with long, soft hairs. The stigma (the part that receives pollen) is smooth. This plant blooms from August to November. After flowering, it produces a fruit that is 4 to 6 millimeters long and has a pointed tip.
How Was the Prickly Waxflower Discovered and Named?
The prickly waxflower was first noticed by an explorer named Thomas Mitchell. He found it in 1836 when he climbed Mount Hope in northern Victoria, Australia. Mitchell described it as a "remarkable new species" that looked like a spiny bush.
The Scientific Naming of Prickly Waxflower
The plant was officially described in 1838 by a botanist named John Lindley. He gave it the scientific name Eriostemon pungens. His description was published in Mitchell's book, Three Expeditions into the interior of Eastern Australia. Later, in 1998, another botanist named Paul G. Wilson changed its name to Philotheca pungens. This new name was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Where Does the Prickly Waxflower Grow?
The prickly waxflower likes to grow in areas called heathlands. These are open areas with low-growing shrubs. You can find this plant in the southern and south-eastern parts of South Australia. It also grows in central and western Victoria, reaching as far east as Bendigo. It often grows near certain types of eucalyptus trees, like Eucalyptus leptophylla and Eucalyptus incrassata.
