Zigzag grevillea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zigzag grevillea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
flexuosa
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The zigzag grevillea (also known as tangled grevillea) is a special type of shrub found only in Western Australia. It's called Grevillea flexuosa in science. This plant is currently an endangered plant, meaning there aren't many of them left in the wild.
What Does It Look Like?
The zigzag grevillea is a shrub that can grow up to two metres (about 6.5 feet) tall. It doesn't have many branches. Its flowers are usually cream or yellow. These flowers grow in special clusters called inflorescences, which are typical for plants in the Grevillea family.
How It Got Its Name
This plant was first described in 1839 by a scientist named John Lindley. He called it Anadenia flexuosa. Later, in 1845, another scientist named Carl Meissner moved it into the Grevillea group. That's how it got its current scientific name, Grevillea flexuosa. The word "flexuosa" means "zigzag" or "bendy," which describes its interesting leaves.
Where It Lives
The zigzag grevillea only grows in a small area east of Perth, Western Australia. This area is part of the Jarrah Forest region. The plant likes to grow in red-brown sandy soil that is found over laterite or granite rocks.
Protecting This Plant
Because there are so few zigzag grevillea plants left, it is considered "rare" by the government of Western Australia. It is also listed as "vulnerable" under a federal law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This means that efforts are being made to protect this unique plant and its habitat so it doesn't disappear forever.
