Sticky Longheads facts for kids
Podotheca angustifolia, also known as Sticky Longheads, is a cool plant that grows naturally in Australia. It's a type of herb, which means it's a plant with soft stems, not woody ones like trees.
Quick facts for kids Sticky Longheads |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Podotheca
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| Species: |
P. angustifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Podotheca angustifolia (Labill.) Less.
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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Lophoclinium manglesii Endl. |
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What Does Sticky Longheads Look Like?
Sticky Longheads is an annual herb. This means it lives for only one year or growing season. It has bright yellow flowers.
This plant can grow in different ways. Some Sticky Longheads trail, or spread, along the ground. Others stand up straight, reaching about 20 to 30 centimeters tall.
It has a thick stem that looks a bit swollen, like a succulent plant. It also has a thin, woody taproot that goes deep into the ground.
One cool thing about this plant is that it's sticky! It has special hairs that make a sticky liquid. This might help protect it from insects.
How Scientists Named Sticky Longheads
Scientists give every living thing a special name. This helps everyone know exactly which plant or animal they are talking about.
The Sticky Longheads plant was first described in 1806. A scientist named Jacques Labillardière gave it the name Podosperma angustifolia. He wrote about it in his book called Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen.
Later, in 1826, another scientist, Alexandre Henri Gabriel de Cassini, moved it to a different group called Phaenopoda. But just six years later, in 1832, Christian Friedrich Lessing decided it belonged in the group Podotheca. This is the name we use today.
Where Does Sticky Longheads Grow?
Sticky Longheads grows in the southern parts of Australia. You can find it in places like New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia.
Sadly, this plant used to grow in Tasmania, an island state of Australia. But now, scientists believe it has disappeared from Tasmania.
