Prominent vein grevillea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prominent vein grevillea |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
phanerophlebia
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Grevillea phanerophlebia, also known as the prominent vein grevillea or the vein leaf grevillea, is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the Grevillea plant family. This plant is only found in a small area on the west coast of Western Australia, in a region called the Mid West.
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What It Looks Like
This plant is an upright, somewhat sprawling shrub that stays green all year. It usually grows to be about 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) tall. Its branches are round and smooth.
The leaves of the Grevillea phanerophlebia are quite unique. They are spiky and divided into three parts, with a length of about 20 to 40 millimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches). They are a mid-green color.
Flowers and Fruit
The shrub blooms in August or September. It produces clusters of white or cream-colored flowers with matching styles (the long, slender part of the flower).
After the flowers, the plant forms bumpy, oval-shaped fruits that are smooth and about 8 to 9 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. Inside these fruits are smooth, waxy seeds. Each seed is about 5.5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide.
Where It Lives
The Grevillea phanerophlebia grows in open forests where trees are tall or short. It can also be found in heathland areas. These places are near towns like Mingenew, Mullewa, and Eradu. It likes to grow in gravelly, sandy, or loamy soils.
This plant is very rare in the wild. Scientists only know of one group of two young plants still alive. Another group of plants that was found had no living plants.
Helping the Plant Survive
Even though it's rare in nature, people are working to protect it. The Botanic Garden and Parks Authority in Perth, Western Australia, is growing 36 Grevillea phanerophlebia plants. They also have seeds stored away from one of the wild groups.
History and Protection
The first time this plant was collected was in 1901. A German botanist named Ludwig Diels found it near Mingenew. The Western Australian Herbarium collected it again in 1931 near Mullewa.
In March 1999, Grevillea phanerophlebia was officially listed as "Rare Flora." It was also ranked as "Critically Endangered (CR)." This means it faces a very high risk of disappearing from the wild. This ranking follows the rules of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Growing the Plant
Even though it's rare in the wild, people have been growing Grevillea phanerophlebia in gardens since the 1980s. It's grown in places like New South Wales and Victoria. You can even buy this plant! It's often sold as a "waterwise" plant, meaning it doesn't need much water. It can be used as a hedge or border plant and can handle hot sun and light frost.
