Araluen gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Araluen gum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Eucalyptus kartzoffiana in the Burrendong Arboretum | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
|
| Species: |
kartzoffiana
|
The Araluen gum, also known as Eucalyptus kartzoffiana, is a special type of medium-sized tree. It grows only in a small part of southeastern New South Wales, Australia. This tree has rough bark on its trunk. Its adult leaves are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. The flowers are white and grow in groups of three. After flowering, it produces bell-shaped fruits that sit directly on the stem.
Contents
What Does the Araluen Gum Look Like?
The Araluen gum is a tree that usually grows up to 30 meters (about 100 feet) tall. It has rough, scaly, or flaky bark that is greyish. This rough bark covers part or most of its trunk. Higher up, the bark is smooth and can be white, grey, or cream-colored.
Young Plants and Leaves
Young Araluen gum plants have special leaves. These leaves are egg-shaped or heart-shaped. They are about 4.5 to 6.5 centimeters (1.8 to 2.6 inches) long and 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1.8 inches) wide. They also have a dull, bluish-green color, which is called glaucous. These young leaves attach directly to the stem without a stalk.
Adult Leaves and Flowers
The adult leaves of the Araluen gum are a dull bluish-green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are quite long, from 8 to 26.5 centimeters (3.1 to 10.4 inches). They are also 1.2 to 3.6 centimeters (0.5 to 1.4 inches) wide. Each adult leaf has a stalk, called a petiole, that is 1 to 4.1 centimeters (0.4 to 1.6 inches) long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of three. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds sits on a short stalk, called a peduncle, which is 2 to 5 millimeters long. The individual buds are cylindrical and attach directly to this stalk. They are about 5 to 6 millimeters long and 4 to 5 millimeters wide. Often, these mature buds also have a dull, bluish-green (glaucous) color. The top part of the bud, called the operculum, is rounded or cone-shaped.
The Araluen gum flowers in February, and its flowers are white.
Fruit of the Tree
After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are bell-shaped and attach directly to the stem. They are about 4 to 6 millimeters long and 4 to 9 millimeters wide. When they first appear, the fruits are also dull bluish-green (glaucous). The parts that open to release seeds, called valves, stick out above the rim of the fruit.
How the Araluen Gum Got Its Name
The Araluen gum was officially described in 1973. Two scientists, Lawrie Johnson and Donald Blaxell, gave it its scientific name. They found a sample of the tree in 1978 near Araluen, New South Wales, on the Braidwood road.
The second part of its scientific name, kartzoffiana, honors a person named Michael Eugene Kartzoff.
Where the Araluen Gum Lives
The Araluen gum grows in a very specific area. It is found south-east of the town of Braidwood in New South Wales. It prefers soils that come from granite rock. You can find it growing in woodlands and forests in this region.
Protecting the Araluen Gum
The Araluen gum is considered "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if we don't protect it. Both the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government have laws to protect this tree.
There are a few reasons why the Araluen gum is vulnerable:
- There are not many of these trees left.
- Land is being cleared for other uses, which destroys their habitat.
- How grazing land is managed can also affect them.
- Roadside maintenance and the use of herbicides can harm the trees.
