Big Badja gum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Big Badja gum
Eucalyptus badjensis in the Big Badja Hill area
Scientific classification
Genus:	Eucalyptus
Species:	badjensis

The Big Badja gum (Eucalyptus badjensis) is a special type of Eucalyptus tree. It is found only in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.

This tree has interesting bark. The lower part of its trunk has rough, hard bark. Higher up, the bark is smooth and grey. Sometimes, this smooth bark peels off in long strips.

The Big Badja gum has long, narrow leaves. Its flower buds are green or yellow and grow in small groups. When it blooms, it has pretty white flowers. After flowering, it grows fruit that looks like a small cone or bell.

What Does the Big Badja Gum Look Like?

The Big Badja gum is a tall tree. It can grow up to 45 metres (about 148 feet) high. That's as tall as a 15-story building!

Its bark changes from bottom to top. Near the ground, the bark is hard, rough, and greyish-brown. Higher up, on the branches and upper trunk, the bark is smooth. It can be grey, green, or light brownish. This smooth bark often peels off in long strips, which looks quite cool.

Leaves and Flowers

Young Big Badja gum plants have lance-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 3.5 to 8 centimetres (1.4 to 3.1 inches) long. They are also 0.8 to 2 centimetres (0.3 to 0.8 inches) wide.

As the tree gets older, its adult leaves become longer and narrower. They are usually 8.5 to 20 centimetres (3.3 to 7.9 inches) long. They are about 1 to 2 centimetres (0.4 to 0.8 inches) wide. These leaves are a dull green colour on both sides.

The tree's flower buds grow in groups of three. They are oval-shaped and can be green or yellow. Each bud is about 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long.

The Big Badja gum flowers in January. Its flowers are a bright white colour.

Fruit of the Tree

After the flowers bloom, the tree produces fruit. This fruit is a small, hard capsule. It looks like a tiny cone or a bell. Each fruit is about 3 to 5 millimetres (0.12 to 0.20 inches) long. It is also 4 to 6 millimetres (0.16 to 0.24 inches) wide.

How Was the Big Badja Gum Named?

The Big Badja gum was officially described in 1924. Two scientists, Wilfred de Beuzeville and Marcus Welch, gave it its scientific name. They found the tree near Big Badja Hill in New South Wales.

The scientific name is Eucalyptus badjensis. The part badjensis comes from the name of the Big Badja area. The ending -ensis is a Latin word. It means "from a place" or "belonging to a country." So, badjensis simply means "from Big Badja."

Where Does the Big Badja Gum Grow?

The Big Badja gum lives in wet forests. You can find it on hills and flat areas called plateaus. These places are on the eastern side of the Southern Tablelands in New South Wales.

This tree likes rich soil and areas with lots of rain. Its home stretches from Big Badja Hill down to towns like Cathcart and Brown Mountain. These areas are west of Bega.

Images for kids

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  flower buds (leaves removed)

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  fruit

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  bark