Crater aspen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crater aspen |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acronychia
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| Species: |
crassipetala
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The Crater Aspen (scientific name: Acronychia crassipetala) is a small tree that grows in rainforests. It is found only in a special part of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. This tree has simple, oval-shaped leaves, small groups of flowers, and round, fleshy fruits.
Contents
What Does the Crater Aspen Look Like?
The Crater Aspen is a tree that can grow up to 18 m (59 ft) tall. Its main stems are mostly round, like a cylinder.
Leaves
The leaves of the Crater Aspen are simple, meaning they are not divided into smaller leaflets. They are also glabrous, which means they are smooth and have no hairs. The leaves are shaped like an oval or an egg, with the narrower part closer to the stem. They are usually 60–130 mm (2.4–5.1 in) long and 20–55 mm (0.79–2.17 in) wide. Each leaf has a small stalk called a petiole, which is about 9–25 mm (0.35–0.98 in) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the Crater Aspen grow in small groups, each group being about 20–35 mm (0.79–1.38 in) long. Each individual flower sits on a tiny stalk called a pedicel, which is only 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long.
The flowers have four small leaf-like parts called sepals, which are about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide. They also have four petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower, measuring 9–12 mm (0.35–0.47 in) long. Inside the flower, there are eight stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens are different lengths.
Crater Aspen trees usually flower from October to April. After flowering, they produce a fleshy, round fruit called a drupe. This fruit is about 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long.
How Was It Named?
The Crater Aspen was first officially described in 1974. This means it was given its scientific name, Acronychia crassipetala, by a botanist named Thomas Gordon Hartley. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called the Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. The plants he studied to describe it were found on a place called Mount Spurgeon.
Where Does It Grow?
This tree grows in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia. You can find it in areas between the Windsor Tablelands and the Atherton Tableland. It prefers to grow at high places, usually between 800–1,200 m (2,600–3,900 ft) above sea level.
Is It Protected?
The Crater Aspen is currently classified as being of "least concern" by the Queensland Government. This means that, for now, there are plenty of these trees, and they are not considered to be in danger of disappearing. This classification is part of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which helps protect plants and animals in Queensland.
