Prostanthera tozerana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prostanthera tozerana |
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| Conservation status | |
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Invalid status (NCA)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prostanthera
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| Species: |
tozerana
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Prostanthera tozerana is a special type of flowering plant. It is a small, bushy shrub that only grows in one place: Mount Tozer in Queensland, Australia. This plant has fuzzy stems, thick leaves shaped like eggs, and pretty pale purplish-mauve flowers.
What Does It Look Like?
Prostanthera tozerana is a shrub that usually grows between 0.2 and 1.5 meters tall. Its branches have a good amount of soft hairs.
The leaves are a dull green color. They are thick and a bit fleshy, shaped like an egg with the narrower part at the bottom. Each leaf is about 10 to 15 millimeters long and 5 to 8 millimeters wide. They grow on a small stem called a petiole, which is about 2 to 3 millimeters long.
The flowers grow in small groups of four to eight. You can find them near the ends of the branches. The outer parts of the flower, called sepals, are greenish-purple and a bit hairy. They form a tube about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. This tube has two parts, or lobes. The top lobe is about 6.5 to 7 millimeters long, and the bottom lobe is about 4.5 millimeters long.
The petals are a lovely pale purplish-mauve color. They are 12 to 15 millimeters long and form a tube about 8.5 to 9 millimeters long. This tube has two "lips." The central part of the lower lip is about 6.5 to 7.5 millimeters long, and the side parts are about 6 to 7 millimeters long. The upper lip is wide and oblong, about 6 to 6.5 millimeters long and 6.5 millimeters wide. It has a small notch in the middle, about 2 millimeters deep.
How It Was Named
The plant Prostanthera tozerana was officially named in 2015. Two scientists, Barry Conn and Trevor Wilson, described it in a science journal called Telopea. They named it after Mount Tozer, where they found the first plant samples.
Where It Lives
This special mintbush is only found on the very top of Mount Tozer. This mountain is located in the Iron Range area of far north Queensland, Australia. It likes to grow in open areas among large rocks and boulders.
Why It Needs Our Help
Prostanthera tozerana is listed as "critically endangered" by the Queensland Government. This means it is in extreme danger of disappearing forever. It is protected under the Queensland Government's Nature Conservation Act 1992. Because it only grows in one small area, it is very important to protect its home.
