Xylomelum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Xylomelum |
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| Xylomelum pyriforme | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Subfamily: | Grevilleoideae |
| Tribe: | Roupaleae |
| Subtribe: | Lambertiinae |
| Genus: | Xylomelum Sm. |
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Xylomelum is a group of six types of flowering plants. They are often called woody pears because their fruits look like woody pears! These plants belong to the Proteaceae family and are only found in Australia. Woody pears can be tall shrubs or small trees. They have leaves that grow in pairs, small flowers in spike-like groups, and their special woody, pear-shaped fruits.
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What Woody Pears Look Like
Woody pear plants are usually shrubs or trees that grow between 4 and 14 meters (about 13 to 46 feet) tall. Their leaves are simple and feel leathery. Young plants have leaves with rough, sometimes spiky edges.
The flowers grow in thick, spike-like clusters. Each flower has four similar parts called tepals. These tepals roll back as the flower opens, showing four stamens (the parts that make pollen).
The fruit is woody and shaped like a pear. It's attached at the wider end. When the fruit is ready, it splits into two halves. Inside, there are two seeds, each with a wing to help it fly away in the wind.
Naming and History
The name Xylomelum was first officially used in 1798 by a scientist named James Edward Smith. The name comes from two Greek words: xylon, meaning "wood," and melon, meaning "tree-fruit." This name perfectly describes their woody fruits!
How Woody Pears Evolved
Scientists believe the hard, woody fruits of Xylomelum species developed to protect their seeds. This protection is especially important from animals that might try to eat the seeds. These woody fruits also help protect the seeds from bushfires, which are common in Australia. Some scientists think that woody seeds in the Proteaceae family are a special feature that developed over time to help plants survive fires.
Types of Woody Pears
Here are the six types of woody pears recognized by the Australian Plant Census:
- Xylomelum angustifolium (found in Western Australia)
- Xylomelum benthamii (found in Queensland)
- Xylomelum cunninghamianum (found in Queensland and New South Wales)
- Xylomelum occidentale (found in Western Australia)
- Xylomelum pyriforme (found in New South Wales)
- Xylomelum scottianum (found in Queensland)
There is a seventh type, Xylomelum salicinum, but it is now considered to be the same as X. scottianum by Australian plant experts.
Where Woody Pears Grow
Two types of woody pears, X. angustifolium and X. occidentale, are only found in Western Australia. The other four types grow in New South Wales and Queensland. All woody pears either like places with a moderate amount of water or can grow well in dry areas.
See also
In Spanish: Xylomelum para niños
