Grampians zieria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grampians zieria |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Zieria oreocena growing at the northern end of the Grampians National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Zieria
|
| Species: |
oreocena
|
The Grampians zieria (scientific name: Zieria oreocena) is a special plant that belongs to the citrus family, just like oranges and lemons! It is a type of shrub that grows only in Victoria, Australia. You can find it in the northern part of the Grampians National Park. This plant is quite rare.
It has unique leaves that look a bit like a three-leaf clover. These leaves are smooth and shiny. In spring, the Grampians zieria produces beautiful white flowers. Each flower has four petals and four stamens (the parts that make pollen).
Contents
What Does the Grampians Zieria Look Like?
The Grampians zieria is a tall, thin shrub. It can grow up to about 3.5 meters (or 11.5 feet) high. Its branches are smooth and have clear bumps called translucent glands. They also have distinct ridges.
The leaves are mostly smooth. Each leaf is made up of three smaller, spear-shaped parts called leaflets. The stalk that holds the leaf, called a petiole, is about 11 to 36 millimeters long. The middle leaflet is usually 23 to 82 millimeters long and 4 to 16 millimeters wide.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the Grampians zieria grow in groups. Each group can have between 7 and 29 flowers. These clusters grow where the leaves meet the stem, which are called leaf axils. The clusters are shorter than the leaves.
The small, triangular parts at the base of the flower, called sepals, are about 1 to 2 millimeters long. They are covered with soft, woolly hairs. The four white petals are about 3.5 to 6 millimeters long and also have soft hairs. Inside the flower, there are four stamens.
The plant flowers in spring. After the flowers, it produces fruits. These fruits are smooth capsules. They contain reddish-brown seeds with stripes.
How the Grampians Zieria Got Its Name
The Grampians zieria was officially named in 2002. It was described by a scientist named James Armstrong. He found a sample of the plant near Mount Zero in the Grampians.
The scientific name, oreocena, comes from old Greek words. "Oreo" means 'a mountain' and "kenos" means 'empty'. This name refers to the area near Mount Zero where the first sample was found.
Where Does the Grampians Zieria Grow?
The Grampians zieria lives in specific areas. It grows in woodlands and shrublands. You can only find it in the northern part of the Grampians region in Victoria, Australia.
