Weeping myoporum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weeping myoporum |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Myoporum
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| Species: |
floribundum
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The Myoporum floribundum, also known as weeping myoporum or slender myoporum, is a special kind of shrub. It has a slightly sour smell and its leaves are smooth, meaning they have no hair. This plant is found only in a small part of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It has long, thin leaves that hang down, and lots of white flowers that grow in groups along its stems during spring. Even though it's not very common in nature, many people like to grow it in their gardens.
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What Does the Weeping Myoporum Look Like?
The weeping myoporum is a tall, thin shrub that can grow up to about 3 meters (10 feet) high. It has dark green leaves that droop downwards. These leaves are quite long, usually between 20 to 110 millimeters (0.8 to 4.3 inches) in length. They are also very narrow, only about 1 to 2.5 millimeters (0.04 to 0.1 inches) wide. If you cut a leaf in half, it would look like a dumbbell shape.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the weeping myoporum are white. Sometimes, there are so many flowers that the branches look like they are covered in snow! These flowers grow in groups of 6 to 8 where the leaves meet the stem. They bloom for many months, especially from October to December.
Each flower has 5 small green leaf-like parts called sepals and 5 white petals. The petals are joined at their bottom to form a small tube, about 1.7 to 2 millimeters long. The tips of the petals spread out and are pointed. Inside the flower, there are 4 stamens, which are the parts that make pollen, and they stick out beyond the petals. After the flowers, the plant produces a small, flat, brown fruit. This fruit is called a drupe, which is like a tiny plum or cherry, and it's about 2 to 2.8 millimeters long.
Where Does the Weeping Myoporum Grow?
The weeping myoporum grows in two separate areas, one in New South Wales and another in Victoria. In New South Wales, you can find it below the Jenolan Caves and near the Nepean River. It grows in a type of forest called sclerophyll forest. In Victoria, it lives in the Upper Snowy River and Deddick River valleys. Here, it grows in woodlands on steep, rocky slopes.
Growing Weeping Myoporum in Your Garden
People love to grow the weeping myoporum because of its unique hanging leaves and its beautiful white flowers. It has been a popular garden plant for many years. If you want to grow it, make sure the soil drains well, and it gets at least some sun. This plant is tough! It can handle both frost and dry weather. You can start new plants from seeds or by taking cuttings from an existing plant. However, it's best not to cut it back too much, as it doesn't like harsh pruning.
