Red ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red ash |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alphitonia
|
| Species: |
excelsa
|
The Alphitonia excelsa, often called the red ash or soap tree, is a type of tree. It belongs to the plant family Rhamnaceae. This tree is special because it grows naturally only in Australia. You can find it in New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the far north-west of Western Australia. It's useful for helping new plants grow in natural areas and for making parks look nice.
Contents
About the Red Ash Tree
The Alphitonia excelsa was first described by a scientist named Eduard Fenzl. Later, another scientist, George Bentham, gave it its current classification. This tree is one of about 20 different types of Alphitonia trees found in Australia and the Pacific Islands. Its scientific name, excelsa, comes from a Latin word meaning 'tall'. People also call it by other names like Red Almond, Silver Leaf, and White Myrtle.
What Does the Red Ash Look Like?
This tree can grow quite tall, usually between 7 and 25 meters (about 23 to 82 feet) high. It can also spread out wide, from 5 to 10 meters (about 16 to 33 feet) across. When it's a big tree, the Red Ash provides a lot of shade. Its leaves are dark, shiny green on top and silvery with tiny hairs underneath. This makes a cool contrast when the wind blows.
The leaves are about 5–14 cm (2–6 inches) long and 2–5 cm (1–2 inches) wide. The main trunk and bigger branches have grey bark that looks cracked. Younger branches have smoother, lighter grey or white bark. In late autumn and early winter, the tree grows small, greenish-white flowers. After the flowers, it produces round, dark fruits about 1.5 cm (0.5 inches) wide. Each fruit holds two seeds. If you crush young shoots, they smell a bit like sarsaparilla. The flowers also smell nice, especially in the evening.
Where the Red Ash Grows
The Red Ash tree grows in many different places across Australia. You can find it in eucalypt forests and in areas with both eucalypt and acacia trees, called savannas. It also grows along rivers in gallery forests and in rainforests. In New South Wales, it grows from Mount Gulaga northwards along the coast and inland to the Pilliga scrub. It's also found in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the northwest of Western Australia. Trees that grow inland might look a bit smaller. This tree prefers sandy soils.
Red Ash and Other Living Things
The Red Ash tree is an important food source for some caterpillars. For example, the caterpillars of the moonlight jewel butterfly (Hypochrysops delicia) eat its leaves. The caterpillars of the small green-banded blue butterfly (Psychonotis caelius taygetus) also feed on this tree.
How People Use the Red Ash Tree
These trees grow quickly when planted. The Red Ash is a beautiful Australian tree that can make gardens and streets look very appealing. It's often used as a street tree because it provides good shade. Its wood is tough and light red or brown. People have used it for building boats and making furniture like cabinets. Farmers sometimes use it as food for sheep and cattle. It's also very helpful for restoring natural areas because it's one of the first types of plants to grow back after a disturbance.
