Hairy zieria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hairy zieria |
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| Zieria pilosa growing on Beecroft Peninsula | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Zieria
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| Species: |
pilosa
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The Zieria pilosa, also known as hairy zieria, is a type of plant. It belongs to the citrus family called Rutaceae. This plant grows naturally only in the coastal areas of New South Wales, Australia. It is a shrub with branches that feel hairy. Its leaves are made up of three small parts, called leaflets. The flowers are usually white or pale pink and grow singly where the leaves meet the stem.
What it Looks Like
The hairy zieria is a shrub that can grow up to about 1 meter (3 feet) tall. Its branches are smooth but covered in fine hairs when they are young. As the plant gets older, these hairs disappear.
The leaves are made of three leaflets. Each leaflet is shaped like a narrow spear. The central leaflet is about 1 to 2.5 centimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) long and 0.2 to 0.7 centimeters (0.08 to 0.3 inches) wide. The small stalk that holds the leaflets is about 1 to 4 millimeters long. The top side of the leaflets is flat, dark green, and mostly smooth. The underside is a lighter green and has hairs.
The flowers are white or light pink. They usually grow one by one where the leaves join the stem. These flowers are shorter than the leaves. Each flower has four narrow, triangular parts called sepals, which are about 2 to 3 millimeters long. It also has four petals, which are about 3 to 4 millimeters long. The petals are covered with soft hairs. Like other zieria plants, it only has four stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. The hairy zieria mostly flowers in spring and early summer.
Naming the Plant
The Zieria pilosa was first officially described in 1811. This was done by a scientist named Edward Rudge. His description was published in a scientific journal called Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.
The second part of its scientific name, pilosa, comes from a Latin word. It means "hairy," which perfectly describes the plant's features.
Where it Lives
This type of zieria plant grows in forests and open heathlands. You can find it in coastal and nearby inland areas of New South Wales. Its range stretches from Taree in the north down to Eden in the south.
