Balladonia gimlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balladonia gimlet |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Flower buds and a flower of Eucalyptus terebra near Balladonia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
|
| Species: |
terebra
|
The Balladonia gimlet (scientific name: Eucalyptus terebra) is a special type of eucalypt tree. It is found only in Western Australia. This tree has shiny bark and a trunk that looks like it has grooves. Its leaves are long and narrow. The flowers are yellowish and grow in groups of seven. After flowering, it produces cone-shaped fruits. The Balladonia gimlet is one of seven different kinds of gimlet trees.
Contents
What Does the Balladonia Gimlet Look Like?
The Balladonia gimlet is a type of eucalypt tree called a "mallet." This means it grows as a single trunk and does not have a special woody base called a lignotuber that helps it regrow after a fire. It usually grows to be about 2.5 to 12 meters (8 to 39 feet) tall.
Bark and Leaves
The tree's trunk has smooth, shiny bark that can be dark grey, orange, or green-brown. The trunk often looks "fluted," meaning it has grooves or ridges, like a column. Its adult leaves are glossy green. They are shaped like a spear, about 6 to 9.5 centimeters (2.4 to 3.7 inches) long and 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide. Each leaf narrows down to a small stalk called a petiole, which is about 0.5 to 1.3 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds sits on a short stalk, only 1 to 4 millimeters long. The buds themselves are oval or round, about 6 to 10 millimeters long. They have a rounded cap that often has a pointed tip.
The Balladonia gimlet usually flowers in November. Its flowers are a bright lemon yellow color. After the flowers, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are cone-shaped or half-sphere shaped. They are about 3 to 6 millimeters long and 9 to 13 millimeters wide. Inside, the seeds are oval and light brown, about 1 to 2 millimeters long.
How Was It Named?
The Balladonia gimlet was first officially described in 1991. Two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. They had collected samples of the tree near Balladonia in 1983.
The scientific name, terebra, comes from a Latin word. It means a "gimlet," which is a tool used for drilling small holes in wood. This name was chosen because the tree's trunk often has a twisted, fluted shape, similar to a gimlet tool.
Where Does It Grow?
The Balladonia gimlet grows in flat areas in the southern part of the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It prefers to grow in sandy or chalky soils. You can find this tree between the towns of Balladonia and Norseman. It lives in specific natural areas known as the Coolgardie, Nullarbor, and Mallee regions.
Is It Endangered?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Balladonia gimlet. They have classified this eucalypt as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
