Swamp bottlebrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp bottlebrush |
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| Beaufortia sparsa growing near Albany | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Beaufortia (plant)
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| Species: |
sparsa
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| Synonyms | |
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Melaleuca sparsa (R.Br.) Craven & R.D.Edwards |
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The swamp bottlebrush, also known by its scientific name Beaufortia sparsa, is a special plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is endemic to the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it naturally grows only in that area.
The swamp bottlebrush is a type of shrub. It can grow upright or spread out. Its younger branches have round, slightly curved leaves. During the warmer months, it produces bright red flowers that look like bottlebrushes.
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What Does the Swamp Bottlebrush Look Like?
The swamp bottlebrush is an evergreen shrub. This means it keeps its leaves all year round. It usually grows to be about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) tall. It can also spread out to be 1 to 2.5 meters (3 to 8 feet) wide.
Its leaves are a bright green color. They are oval-shaped and can be flat or slightly curved like a dish. Each leaf is about 6 to 12 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. They have many small veins running through them.
The Unique Flowers of the Swamp Bottlebrush
The flowers of the swamp bottlebrush are a bright orange to red color. They grow in spikes that look a lot like a bottlebrush. These spikes appear near the ends of the branches. Even after the flowers bloom, the branches continue to grow.
Each flower has five small leaf-like parts called sepals. It also has five petals. The most striking part is the five bundles of stamens. Stamens are the parts of a flower that produce pollen. Each bundle has about five stamens. The stamens are quite long, up to 26 millimeters (about 1 inch). These long stamens give the flowers their vibrant color.
The swamp bottlebrush flowers from January to April and again from September to November. After the flowers fade, they are replaced by woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules. They stay on the stems for a very long time, sometimes indefinitely.
Where Does the Swamp Bottlebrush Grow?
The swamp bottlebrush is mainly found in a specific area of Western Australia. This area stretches between Busselton and Albany. It grows in several different natural regions, including the Esperance Plains and the Jarrah Forest.
This plant prefers to grow in sandy soil. You can often find it in swampy areas or close to water sources like streams and rivers. It likes places where the ground stays moist.
Is the Swamp Bottlebrush Protected?
The Western Australian government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified Beaufortia sparsa as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
Growing Swamp Bottlebrush in Gardens
The swamp bottlebrush is probably the most commonly grown plant from its group, the Beaufortia genus. However, it is still not very well known in home gardens. It can be a bit tricky to grow in places with very humid weather, like some of Australia's eastern states. But in drier climates, it makes a beautiful and colorful addition to a garden.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the swamp bottlebrush flowers.
