Lilac berry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lilac berry |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Trochocarpa
|
| Species: |
clarkei
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Decaspora clarkei F.Muell. |
|
Trochocarpa clarkei, often called the lilac berry, is a rare and beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Ericaceae family, which also includes blueberries and rhododendrons. This small shrub is found only in specific mountain areas of Victoria, Australia.
Contents
What is the Lilac Berry?
The lilac berry is a small shrub. It usually grows to about 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) tall. Its flowers are a deep maroon color. They have a greenish base.
What Does the Lilac Berry Look Like?
The flowers of the lilac berry are quite unique. They are a dark reddish-brown color. You might notice a hint of green near where they attach to the plant. After the flowers, small fruits appear. These fruits are round, like tiny berries. They are about 8 millimeters (about 0.3 inches) across. These fruits usually show up in autumn. Small animals and birds enjoy eating them. This helps the plant spread its seeds.
Where Does the Lilac Berry Grow?
The lilac berry is an endemic plant. This means it grows naturally only in one specific place. For the lilac berry, that place is the sub-alpine areas of Victoria, Australia. "Sub-alpine" means it grows in mountain regions. These areas are just below the treeline. They often have cold winters and snow. The plant often grows near Snow Gum trees. These trees are also found in cold, high places.
Who Discovered the Lilac Berry?
The lilac berry was first officially described in 1855. A famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller did this. He was the Victorian Government Botanist. He wrote about the plant in a paper. The paper was called Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants.
How Was the Lilac Berry Named?
When Ferdinand von Mueller first described the plant, he gave it a different name. He called it Decaspora clarkei. He found the plant in "shady ravines" at Mount Wellington. This mountain is in a region called Gippsland. Later, in 1867, Mueller decided to move the plant to a new group. He changed its name to Trochocarpa clarkei. This is the name it still has today.
