Wild rose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wild rose |
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Diplolaena
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D. grandiflora
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| Diplolaena grandiflora |
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The Diplolaena grandiflora, also called the wild rose or Tamala rose, is a beautiful shrub. It grows only in Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
What it Looks Like
The Diplolaena grandiflora plant can grow from about half a meter to 3 meters tall. It stands upright, like a small tree or bush.
Its flowers are very pretty and easy to see. They bloom from late autumn through spring. The flowers can point upwards or hang down.
Each flower has a bunch of bright red stamens in the middle. These are the parts that hold pollen. Pinkish-red bracts surround the stamens. Bracts are like special leaves that protect the flower.
The leaves of the plant are shaped like an oval. They can be up to 5 centimeters long. The top side of the leaves is dark green. The bottom side feels soft and fuzzy.
Where it Grows
You can find Diplolaena grandiflora growing in a special area of Western Australia. It lives on limestone rocks and hills.
This area stretches between the towns of Geraldton and North West Cape.
Its Name and History
Even though people call it the "wild rose," this plant is not actually a rose. It belongs to a different plant family called Rutaceae. This family also includes citrus fruits like oranges and lemons!
The first time scientists collected this plant was in 1699. This happened during a trip to New Holland (which is now Australia). The famous explorer William Dampier collected it.
Later, in 1801, another important sample was collected. This was on Dirk Hartog Island. It was part of a French journey of exploration. The captains were Jacques Hamelin and Nicholas Baudin.
This sample was taken back to France. In 1817, a scientist named René Desfontaines described it. He gave it the name grandiflora. This word means "large-flowered" in Latin.
How to Grow it
You can grow Diplolaena grandiflora from small plant pieces called cuttings. You can also grow it from its seeds.
This plant likes soil that drains water well. It also prefers to grow in a spot with some shade, not full sun all day.
If you want more flowers to grow, you should prune the plant. Pruning means carefully cutting off some branches.
