Anglesea box facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anglesea box |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
litoralis
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The Anglesea box (scientific name: Eucalyptus litoralis) is a special type of tree. It is found only in a small area of Victoria, Australia. This tree has rough, thin, and fibrous bark on its main trunk. Its branches have smooth, pale grey bark. The Anglesea box also has long, curved leaves, white flowers, and cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruits.
About the Anglesea Box Tree
The Anglesea box is a tree that can grow up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall. It has a special woody base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, for example, by fire.
The bark on the main trunk is rough and greyish. It feels thin and fibrous. The bark on the branches is smooth and a pale grey color.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Anglesea box plants have stems that are somewhat square. Their leaves grow in pairs directly opposite each other. These young leaves are egg-shaped to almost round. They can be from 35 to 125 millimeters long and 30 to 115 millimeters wide.
Adult leaves are different. They are shaped like a spear or slightly curved. Both sides of the adult leaves are a shiny green color. They are usually 120 to 210 millimeters long and 20 to 33 millimeters wide. These leaves grow on a stalk called a petiole, which is about 20 to 40 millimeters long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. These groups of buds grow on a stalk called a peduncle, which is 10 to 24 millimeters long. Each individual bud might sit directly on the stalk or have a very short stem (up to 4 millimeters long) called a pedicel.
When the buds are ready, they are shaped like a cylinder or a spindle. They are about 10 to 14 millimeters long and 4 to 6 millimeters wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum.
The Anglesea box produces white flowers. They have been seen flowering in March. After flowering, the tree grows woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cup or a barrel. They are about 7 to 11 millimeters long and wide. The parts that open to release seeds are near the rim of the fruit.
How it was Named
The Anglesea box was first officially described in 2004. A scientist named Kevin Rule found a sample of the tree near Anglesea in the year 2000. He then wrote about it in a science journal called Muelleria.
The second part of its scientific name, litoralis, comes from a Latin word. It means "belonging to the sea-shore." This name was chosen because the tree grows near the coast.
Where it Lives
The Anglesea box grows in places with poor soil. It is often found on sandstone ridges. These areas are usually exposed to strong winds from the ocean.
You can find this tree in coastal areas of Victoria. It grows from near Anglesea to Aireys Inlet. There is also one small group of these trees found near Lorne.
