Rylstone bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rylstone bell |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leionema
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| Species: |
sympetalum
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The Leionema sympetalum, also known as the Rylstone bell, is a special type of shrub. It has pretty greenish-yellow flowers shaped like tubes. These flowers grow in small groups at the ends of its smooth branches. This plant is only found in a small area near Rylstone in New South Wales, Australia.
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About the Rylstone Bell Plant
The Rylstone bell is a small shrub that can grow up to 2 to 3 meters (about 6 to 10 feet) tall. Its branches are smooth and have a slightly angled shape. When the plant is young, these branches are covered with tiny, soft, star-shaped hairs.
Its leaves are shaped like a wedge or an oval. They are about 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1.4 inches) long and 4 to 8 millimeters (0.16 to 0.3 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves are a bit curled under. They often have small teeth when dry. You can see a clear line, called a midrib, on the underside of the leaf. The tip of the leaf is usually blunt with a small notch.
The flowers grow in groups of 1 to 3 at the end of the branches. They often hang downwards. Each flower sits on a thin, reddish stalk about 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) long. The base of the flower, called the calyx, is rounded and smooth. It has small, triangular parts about 1 millimeter long.
The flowers themselves are shaped like tubes, about 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. They are greenish-yellow. The petals split open near the top and curl upwards, showing triangular tips. The parts that hold pollen, called stamens, are longer than the petals. After flowering, the plant produces a fruit that is a capsule. Each part of the capsule is about 4 millimeters high and has a short, pointed tip. The Rylstone bell usually flowers from winter to spring.
How the Rylstone Bell Got Its Name
The Rylstone bell was first officially described in 1970 by a scientist named Paul G. Wilson. He first called it Phebalium sympetalum. This description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Later, in 1998, Paul G. Wilson decided to change the plant's name. He renamed it Leionema sympetalum. This new name was also published in the same journal, Nuytsia.
Where the Rylstone Bell Lives
This special plant only grows in the mountain areas near Rylstone in New South Wales, Australia. It likes to live in dry sclerophyll forests. These are forests with tough, often spiky leaves that can handle dry conditions. You will usually find the Rylstone bell growing on rocky areas within these forests.
Protecting the Rylstone Bell
The Rylstone bell is a very important plant, but it is also quite rare. Because it only grows in a small area, it needs protection. The Government of New South Wales has classified this species as "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect its habitat. This classification is under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This law helps to protect plants and animals that are in danger.
