Star of Bethlehem (plant) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Star of Bethlehem |
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| Calectasia cyanea growing near Albany. | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Calectasia
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| Species: |
cyanea
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The Calectasia cyanea, also known as the star of Bethlehem or blue tinsel lily, is a beautiful plant found only in the southwest of Western Australia. It belongs to the Dasypogonaceae family. This plant is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years and has soft stems. It is critically endangered, with only one main group of plants left in Torndirrup National Park.
People have always admired this plant's beauty. In 1840, Robert Marnock described it as one of the most beautiful flowers from Australia's southwest coast. He noted its bright purple petals and deep orange centers. Another botanist, John Lindley, also called it "most beautiful."
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What Does the Star of Bethlehem Look Like?
The Star of Bethlehem plant grows in clumps. It is a woody herb that can reach about 60 centimeters (24 inches) tall and 30 centimeters (12 inches) wide. Unlike some other plants in its family, it does not have a rhizome (an underground stem).
Its stems have only a few short side branches. The leaves are small, about 6.5 to 13.2 millimeters (0.26 to 0.52 inches) long. The flowers have six petals that are a deep blue color. As the flowers get older, their blue color fades to white. The center of the flower has yellow parts called anthers, which turn orange-red over time. You can see these lovely flowers from June to October.
How Did it Get Its Name?
Calectasia cyanea is one of eleven types of plants in the Calectasia group. A famous botanist named Robert Brown first described this plant in 1810. He wrote about it in his book, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.
The second part of its scientific name, cyanea, comes from an Ancient Greek word, kyanós. This word means "dark blue," which perfectly describes the color of its flowers. People also call it the blue tinsel lily or the star of Bethlehem.
Where Does the Star of Bethlehem Live?
The Star of Bethlehem plant lives in a very small area. It is found only in the Torndirrup National Park and around Albany in the South West Botanical Province. Old records show it used to be common near King George Sound. However, much of this land is now part of the city of Albany or used for farming.
This plant prefers to grow in yellow sand that sits on top of a type of rock called laterite. In 2005, experts estimated there were only about 70 plants left. They were found in a tiny area, about 0.02 square kilometers (0.008 square miles).
Why is it Endangered?
The Calectasia cyanea is listed as Critically endangered by the Australian government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. There are a few reasons why this plant is in danger.
One big threat is a plant disease called dieback. This disease is caused by a type of mold called Phytophthora cinnamomi. It attacks the plant's roots and can kill it. Another threat comes from animals. Western grey kangaroos sometimes eat the plants, which also harms their survival. Protecting this special plant is very important.
