Twiggy zieria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twiggy zieria |
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| Z. minutiflora leaves and flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Zieria
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| Species: |
minutiflora
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The twiggy zieria (scientific name: Zieria minutiflora) is a special plant found only in eastern Australia. It belongs to the same plant family as citrus fruits, called Rutaceae. This plant is a small, upright shrub that looks a bit "twiggy" because of its many branches.
Its leaves have three small parts, and it grows clusters of tiny white flowers. Each flower has four petals and four stamens. You can usually find the twiggy zieria growing under taller trees in eucalypt woodlands.
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What Does Twiggy Zieria Look Like?
The twiggy zieria is an upright, bushy plant. It can grow to about 1 m (3 ft) tall. When the branches are new, they have tiny hairs. As they get older, they become smooth (this is called glabrous).
Its leaves are made up of three smaller leaf parts, called leaflets. The middle leaflet is usually 6–10.5 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. The stem that holds the leaf is about 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long. The top of the leaves has a few scattered hairs. The bottom side is covered with soft hairs. The ends of the leaflets are often rounded or have a small dip, like a tiny notch.
Twiggy Zieria Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the twiggy zieria are white, light pink, or cream-colored. They grow either alone or in small groups of up to three. These groups appear where the leaves join the stem (this area is called a leaf axil). The flower groups are shorter than the leaves.
Each flower has four small leaf-like parts called sepals, which are about 0.5 mm (0.02 in) long. The four petals are 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long and covered with short, branched hairs. Like other plants in the Zieria group, it only has four stamens.
Twiggy zieria flowers from November to May. After flowering, it produces fruit. The fruit is a smooth (glabrous) follicle. It has up to four sections joined at the bottom. When the fruit is ripe, it bursts open to release its seeds.
How Did Twiggy Zieria Get Its Name?
The scientific name Zieria minutiflora was first officially described in 1926. This was done by a scientist named Karel Domin. He studied a plant sample found near the Glasshouse Mountains.
The second part of its scientific name, minutiflora, comes from two Latin words. Minutus means "little" or "small." Flora means "flowers." So, minutiflora basically means "small-flowered."
Different Types of Twiggy Zieria
Scientists have found two slightly different types of twiggy zieria. These are called subspecies:
- Zieria minutiflora subsp. minutiflora: This type has smooth (glabrous) ovaries and fruit.
- Zieria minutiflora subsp. trichocarpa: This type has hairy ovaries and fruit. It is only found in Queensland, Australia.
Where Does Twiggy Zieria Grow?
The twiggy zieria is mostly found in eastern Australia. Its range stretches from Coffs Harbour in New South Wales northwards. It goes as far north in Queensland as Danbulla National Park and State Forest on the Atherton Tableland.
This plant usually grows in eucalypt forests and woodlands. However, you can also find it in rocky areas along the coast.
