Severn River heath-myrtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Severn River heath-myrtle |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Micromyrtus
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| Species: |
grandis
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The Severn River heath-myrtle (scientific name: Micromyrtus grandis) is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the myrtle family, just like eucalyptus trees. This plant is only found in a small area in Australia. You can see it in the Severn River Nature Preserve. It also grows on a nearby private property. This area is about 60 kilometers north-west of Glen Innes.
The Severn River heath-myrtle can grow quite tall. It reaches between 1 and 4 meters high. This makes it the biggest plant in its group, called Micromyrtus. You can tell it apart by its unique fruit. The fruit has 5 ribs, like small ridges. Its leaves are also wider than other similar plants.
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Discovering and Naming the Severn River Heath-Myrtle
In 1996, a scientist named John T. Hunter found something new. He was exploring a rocky ridge. There, he saw a group of Micromyrtus plants. These plants did not look like any known species.
So, John T. Hunter officially described this new plant. He gave it the scientific name Micromyrtus grandis. The word grandis means "large" in Latin. He chose this name because it was the biggest plant in the Micromyrtus group.
What Does the Severn River Heath-Myrtle Look Like?
The Severn River heath-myrtle grows as an upright shrub. It can reach heights of 1 to 4 meters. Its bark is orange and looks stringy. The bark peels off in long ribbons. These ribbons often curl, which gives the plant a unique look.
Its leaves are very small. They are about 0.5 to 4 millimeters long. They are also narrow, about 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters wide. If you hold a leaf up to the light, you can see tiny oil dots inside it. The plant produces tiny flowers. These flowers bloom during winter and spring, from July to September.
Where Does the Severn River Heath-Myrtle Live?
The Severn River heath-myrtle lives in a very specific place. It is found along one long ridge. This ridge is located in the Severn River Nature Preserve. It also extends onto some private farmland next door. The plant grows at an altitude of 600 to 750 meters.
It prefers open, sunny spots. You can find it in heathlands and open woodlands. It often grows near other plants. These include the narrow-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra). You might also see stringybark she-oak (Allocasuarina inophloia). Other plant friends are Acacia pubifolia and Johnson's grasstree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii). It also shares its home with other heath plants. These are Leptospermum novae-angliae, Micromyrtus sessilis, and Leucopogon neo-anglicus.
This plant is very rare. Both the New South Wales and Federal governments have listed it as endangered. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
Growing the Severn River Heath-Myrtle in Gardens
Since 1998, the Severn River heath-myrtle has been grown. It is cultivated at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. It has proven to be a strong and easy plant to grow.
Gardeners can grow new plants in two ways. They can use seeds from the plant. Or, they can take small cuttings from an existing plant. This helps to protect the species.
