Westringia rigida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westringia rigida |
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Westringia rigida, also known as stiff westringia, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes mint plants. This plant grows only in Australia. You can find it in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.
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What Does Stiff Westringia Look Like?
Stiff westringia is a shrub that usually grows to be about 30 to 60 centimeters (about 1 to 2 feet) tall. It has branches that are often stiff and can look a bit tangled.
Leaves of the Plant
The leaves of this plant usually grow in groups of three around the stem. They don't have a stalk, meaning they attach directly to the stem. Each leaf is quite small, measuring about 1.9 to 5.2 millimeters long and 1 to 2 millimeters wide. The edges of the leaves are smooth, and they often curl downwards or roll inwards. Both the top and bottom surfaces of the leaves can have a few hairs or be quite hairy.
Flowers of the Plant
The flowers of the stiff westringia are small, about 6 to 7 millimeters long. They are usually white, but sometimes they have a light purple (mauve) tint. If you look closely, you might see orange or orange-brown dots on the flowers. Small leaf-like parts called bracteoles, which are about 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, are found near the flowers. The green part that holds the flower, called the calyx, is covered in many hairs on its outer surface.
How Was Stiff Westringia Named?
The scientific name for this plant, Westringia rigida, was officially given in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown was the one who first described and named the species.
