Sannantha similis facts for kids

Sannantha similis is a cool plant that belongs to the myrtle family. Think of it like a cousin to eucalyptus trees! This plant can grow as a shrub or a small tree. It's special because it only grows naturally in Australia.

These plants can reach up to 4 metres (about 13 feet) tall. They have pretty white flowers that bloom between October and January. These flowers usually appear in small groups of 3 to 7. Each flower has 5 round petals and between 8 to 15 tiny parts called stamens in the middle. After the flowers, small fruits grow, which are about 2.5 to 3.5 millimetres wide.

How This Plant Got Its Name

Scientists first officially described this plant in 1997. They gave it the name Babingtonia similis. Later, in 2007, it was moved into a new group of plants called Sannantha. So, its full scientific name became Sannantha similis.

For a long time, people sometimes confused this plant with another one called Baeckea virgata. But that plant, now known as Sannantha virgata, actually grows in a different place: New Caledonia.

Where Sannantha similis Lives

You can find Sannantha similis growing in eastern Australia. It lives from a place called Port Stephens in New South Wales and stretches north into Queensland.

Growing This Plant

People have been growing Sannantha similis in gardens for many years. It has been known by different names over time. Some special types of this plant, called cultivars, have been developed. One popular cultivar is named 'Howie's Feathertips'.