Baeuerlen's gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baeuerlen's gum |
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| Eucalyptus baeuerlenii on Sugarloaf Mountain in Monga National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
baeuerlenii
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Baeuerlen's gum (scientific name: Eucalyptus baeuerlenii) is a special type of Eucalyptus tree. It grows only in New South Wales, Australia. This plant can be a small, bushy shrub called a mallee. Sometimes it grows into a taller tree. It has smooth bark and leaves shaped like spears. Its flowers are white, and its fruits look like small bells or cups. You can find it in the mountains in the southern part of New South Wales.
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What Does Baeuerlen's Gum Look Like?
Baeuerlen's gum is usually a mallee, which is a shrub that grows up to 10 metres (33 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can grow into a tree as tall as 20 metres (66 feet). It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
Its bark is smooth and can be brownish, grey, cream, or green.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
- Young leaves: On young plants, the leaves are arranged in pairs. They are shaped like spears, about 3.5 to 8 centimetres (1.4 to 3.1 inches) long.
- Adult leaves: Older leaves grow one after another. They are also spear-shaped or slightly curved. These leaves are about 7 to 17.5 centimetres (2.8 to 6.9 inches) long. They have the same colour on both sides.
- Flower buds: The flower buds grow in groups of three. They are found where the leaves meet the stem (called a leaf axil). The buds are oblong or spindle-shaped, green to yellow, and often have small bumps. They are about 7 to 10 millimetres (0.28 to 0.39 inches) long.
- Flowers: Baeuerlen's gum usually blooms from March to May. Its flowers are white.
- Fruit: After flowering, the plant produces fruit. These fruits are shaped like cones, cups, or bells. They are about 5 to 10 millimetres (0.20 to 0.39 inches) long.
How Was Baeuerlen's Gum Named?
The scientific name Eucalyptus baeuerlenii was first officially described in 1890. This was done by a famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.
The plant was named after William Baeuerlen. He was a plant collector who sent a sample of this eucalyptus to Mueller. William Baeuerlen found the first sample on Sugarloaf Mountain, near the Clyde River. He told Mueller that the plant looked different depending on where it grew. It was a small shrub higher up the mountain and a taller tree lower down. The name baeuerlenii is a way to honour William Baeuerlen for his discovery.
Where Does Baeuerlen's Gum Grow?
Baeuerlen's gum grows in open forests. It prefers shallow, rocky soil. You can find it in a few separate areas, which is called a disjunct distribution. It grows in the Blue Mountains and on the Southern Tablelands in New South Wales. Some of the national parks where it can be found include:
- Budawang National Park
- Deua National Park
- Wadbilliga National Park
