Styphelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Styphelia |
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| Styphelia tubiflora | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Subfamily: | Styphelioideae |
| Tribe: | Styphelieae |
| Genus: | Styphelia Sm. |
Styphelia is a group of shrubs found only in Australia. These plants are known for their small leaves, which often have a sharp tip. Their flowers are usually tube-shaped and grow singly where the leaves meet the stem. The ends of the petals often curl back, and the inside of the flower tube can be quite hairy.
Contents
What Styphelia Plants Look Like
Plants in the Styphelia group are usually shrubs that grow upright or spread out. Their leaves are often egg-shaped, oval, or long, and usually sit close to the stem. These leaves have many fine, almost parallel lines (veins) and a sharp point at the end.
The flowers usually grow one by one where the leaves join the stem. At the base of each flower, there are small, leaf-like parts called bracts. Each flower has five outer leaves, called sepals, which are often colorful. The petals of the flower are joined together to form a tube. The tips of these petals then roll back. Inside this petal tube, you'll find hairs. The parts that make pollen (called stamens) and a thin stalk (called a style) stick out beyond the end of the tube.
The fruit of a Styphelia plant is a type of berry called a drupe. This fruit has a hard pit inside, similar to a peach or cherry, but it can be dry or only slightly fleshy.
How Styphelia Got Its Name
The group of plants called Styphelia was first officially described in 1795 by a scientist named James Edward Smith. He wrote about it in his book A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland.
The name Styphelia comes from an ancient Greek word that means "tough" or "harsh." This name was chosen because of the plants' "stiff, prickly leaves and their overall tough appearance."
Different Kinds of Styphelia
There are many different types of Styphelia plants. Scientists are always studying them to understand their relationships better. For example, in 2020, a study suggested that some other plant groups, like Astroloma and Coelanthera, should actually be included within the Styphelia group. This means that more plants are now considered part of the Styphelia family.
Some examples of Styphelia species include:
- Styphelia adscendens - also known as golden heath.
- Styphelia perileuca - called montane green five-corners.
- Styphelia triflora - known as pink five-corners.
- Styphelia tubiflora - called red five-corner.
Where Styphelia Plants Grow
You can find different kinds of Styphelia plants growing in all the mainland states of Australia, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory.
See also
In Spanish: Styphelia para niños
