Speckled snakebush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speckled snakebush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hemiandra
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| Species: |
linearis
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| Synonyms | |
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Hemiandra linearis, also known as the speckled snakebush, is a special type of shrub found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's called "speckled snakebush" because of its unique look. This plant is a shrub, which means it's a woody plant smaller than a tree. It is endemic to this area, meaning it naturally grows nowhere else in the world.
What Does It Look Like?
The speckled snakebush is a shrub that can grow in different ways. It might lie flat on the ground (prostrate) or grow upwards (ascending). It usually reaches a height of up to 60 centimeters, which is about as tall as a large dog.
Its leaves are arranged in pairs, one opposite the other. They are about 15 to 25 millimeters long and 1 to 5 millimeters wide. That's roughly the length of a small paperclip.
The flowers of the speckled snakebush are quite pretty. Each flower has four sepals, which are like small leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. These sepals are joined at their base. The flower also has petals that are 15 to 25 millimeters long. These petals can be white, cream, purple, lilac, or violet. They often have tiny dots or stripes near their base, making them look "speckled." This plant usually blooms from October to December.
How It Was Named
The speckled snakebush was officially described in 1837. A scientist named George Bentham gave it its formal name, Hemiandra linearis. He wrote about it in a book called Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel.
The information for this description came from plants collected near the Swan River. These plants were gathered by another explorer and scientist, Charles von Hügel.
Where It Grows
This unique plant grows in sandy soil. You can find it in several natural areas in the south-west of Western Australia. These areas are known as biogeographic regions, which are places with similar plants, animals, and environments. The speckled snakebush lives in the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, and Swan Coastal Plain regions.
Is It Safe?
The speckled snakebush is currently classified as "not threatened." This means that the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia) believes there are enough of these plants in the wild, and they are not at risk of disappearing.
