Tetratheca thymifolia facts for kids
Tetratheca thymifolia, often called black-eyed Susan or thyme pink-bells, is a small shrub that grows in southeastern Australia. It belongs to the plant family called Elaeocarpaceae.
Quick facts for kids Tetratheca thymifolia |
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| D'Aguilar National Park: upper surfaces of leaves & flower | |
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| discolorous lower sides of leaves & inside of flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Tetratheca
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| Species: |
thymifolia
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Contents
What's in a Name?
The plant was first officially described by an English botanist named James Edward Smith in 1804.
How the Species Got Its Name
The second part of its scientific name, thymifolia, comes from two words. Folium is a Latin word meaning "leaf." Thymus refers to the herb thyme, because the leaves of this plant look similar to thyme leaves.
The Genus Name Explained
The first part of the name, Tetratheca, comes from Ancient Greek words. Tetra means "four," and theke means "sac" or "box." This name describes the plant's flowers, which have four small pollen sacs.
Where It Grows
Tetratheca thymifolia is found in several parts of Australia. You can see it in southeastern Queensland, across New South Wales, and into eastern Victoria. It usually grows in open areas like heathland or in eucalyptus forests, especially where the soil is sandy.
Plant Description
This plant grows as a shrub with strong stems. It can reach up to about one metre (3 feet) tall.
Flowers and Scent
The flowers are about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) wide. They usually bloom from September to November, but you might spot individual flowers at other times of the year too. On warm days, these flowers can have a strong, pleasant smell.
Growing This Plant
Tetratheca thymifolia was first brought to England for gardening in 1824. Since then, people have grown it in gardens.
Special Varieties
Gardeners have chosen some special types of this plant for growing. One popular type is called T. 'Bicentennial Belle'. This variety was found growing naturally near Bega, New South Wales.
T. 'Bicentennial Belle' grows to about 0.7 metres tall and 0.9 metres wide. It spreads easily by sending out new shoots from its roots. This special plant was officially registered in 1985. It has larger flowers than the regular Tetratheca thymifolia and blooms almost all year, with the most flowers appearing in spring and autumn.
Best Growing Conditions
For the best results, Tetratheca thymifolia likes soil that drains well and is a bit acidic. It prefers sunny or partly shaded spots. It can also handle light frosts, which means it can survive a little bit of cold weather. People often grow it in pots or in rock gardens.
