Prickly woollybush facts for kids

Adenanthos acanthophyllus, also known as the prickly woollybush, is a type of shrub. It is found only in Western Australia.

What the Prickly Woollybush Looks Like

This shrub is strong and bushy. It usually grows about 2 to 3.5 meters (6.5 to 11.5 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach 6 meters (20 feet) high! It often has many stems growing from a special woody base called a lignotuber.

Its Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of the prickly woollybush are shaped like a fan. They have three parts and are about 30 millimeters (1.2 inches) long and wide. The edges of the leaves have sharp spines, making them look a bit like the leaves of other plants such as Isopogon baxteri.

The plant blooms with pink-red and green flowers. This happens between April and June. The flowers are about 27 millimeters (1.1 inches) long. They can be dark red or a pale red-pink and green. The outside of the flowers has both short and long hairs.

Where the Prickly Woollybush Lives

The prickly woollybush grows in sandy areas along the coast. You can find it in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. It is often the main plant growing in these areas.

Its Special Location

This plant is the most northern species of its kind, the Adenanthos genus. It grows over 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from any other known Adenanthos plants. It is also part of the "tree heath" areas. These are found where the South West and Eremaean plant regions meet. This special area is the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

Other Plants Nearby

Other plants that grow in the same areas as the prickly woollybush include:

• Eucalyptus beardiana
• Grevillea rogersoniana
• Acacia drepanophylla
• Verticordia cooloomia
• Eucalyptus roycei
• Hakea stenophylla

See also

• In Spanish: Adenanthos acanthophyllus para niños