Triphasia brassii facts for kids

Triphasia brassii is a very special and hard-to-find plant that grows naturally in New Guinea. It's a type of plant called Triphasia, and it belongs to the Rutaceae family, which is the same family as oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. So, you could say it's like a cousin to your favorite citrus!

Scientists have only found these plants in one general area. This makes Triphasia brassii quite rare and unique.

What is Triphasia Brassii Like?

This plant is usually a very spiny bush that stays green all year round. Sometimes, it can even grow into a small tree. It can reach about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of Triphasia brassii are shiny and dark green. Each small leaf part is about 2–4 centimeters (3/4 to 1 1/2 inches) long and 1.5–2 centimeters (3/4 to 1 inch) wide. When the plant blooms, it has white flowers that smell really nice and strong.

The Fruit

The fruit of Triphasia brassii is red and about the size of a kumquat (a small, oval-shaped citrus fruit). It looks a lot like a tiny orange or lemon. This fruit is edible, meaning you can eat it! It's bigger than the fruit of a similar plant called the limeberry. Inside, the fruit is soft and juicy, and it tastes a bit like a slightly sweet lime.

Why is Triphasia Brassii Important?

Just like its close relative, the limeberry, T. brassii might be a useful fruit in the future. However, it's not widely grown or used right now for a few reasons:

• Not Changed by People: It hasn't been changed by people to grow better or produce more fruit, unlike many fruits we eat every day.
• Not Studied Much: Scientists haven't studied it very closely yet to learn all its secrets.
• Very Rare: The biggest reason is that this plant is very, very rare, so there aren't many of them around to study or grow.

id:Kingkit