Tailflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tailflower |
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| Anthocercis viscosa | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nicotianoideae |
| Tribe: | Anthocercideae |
| Genus: | Anthocercis Labill. |
| Species | |
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See text |
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Anthocercis, commonly called tailflower, is a type of shrub. These plants grow only in southern Australia, especially in the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. All Anthocercis plants contain special natural chemicals called tropane alkaloids. Because of these chemicals, it is important not to eat any part of these plants. Anthocercis is also unique because it is the only plant in its family known to make a sticky substance called resin. This resin comes from tiny hairs, called trichomes, on the plant.
What is Anthocercis?
Scientists group living things into categories. Anthocercis is a genus (a group of closely related plants). It belongs to the plant family called Solanaceae, which also includes tomatoes and potatoes.
The first official description of this plant group was made by a botanist named Jacques Labillardière. He wrote about it in his book Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen in 1806. The main example plant for this group is Anthocercis littorea.
Anthocercis is part of a smaller group within the Solanaceae family called Nicotianoideae. Scientists believe that all the different species (types) of Anthocercis are closely related to each other.
Where Does the Name Come From?
The name Anthocercis comes from two ancient Greek words. The first word is anthos, which means "a flower." The second word is kerkis, which means "a ray." This name was chosen because of the narrow, ray-like petals of the Anthocercis flower.
Types of Anthocercis Plants
There are many different types, or species, of Anthocercis plants. Here are some of them:
- Anthocercis angustifolia
- Anthocercis anisantha
- Anthocercis aromatica
- Anthocercis fasciculata
- Anthocercis genistoides
- Anthocercis gracilis (Slender tailflower)
- Anthocercis ilicifolia (Red striped yellow tailflower)
- Anthocercis intricata
- Anthocercis littorea (Yellow tailflower)
- Anthocercis microphylla (Small-leaved anthocercis)
- Anthocercis odgersii (Woolly anthocercis)
- Anthocercis racemosa
- Anthocercis sylvicola
- Anthocercis tenuipes
- Anthocercis viscosa (Sticky tailflower)
