Blackdown stringybark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackdown stringybark |
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| Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa near Blackdown | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
sphaerocarpa
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The Blackdown stringybark (scientific name: Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa) is a tall forest tree found only in Queensland, Australia. It gets its name from its rough, stringy bark and because it grows near the Blackdown Tableland. This special tree has unique leaves, flowers, and fruit.
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What Does the Blackdown Stringybark Look Like?
The Blackdown stringybark is a really tall tree, often growing up to 45 metres high. That's about as tall as a 15-story building! It has rough, grey to brownish bark that looks and feels stringy, covering its trunk and branches.
Leaves, Buds, and Flowers
- Young Leaves: When the tree is young, its leaves are a dull grey-green colour. They are shaped like an oval or a spear, and can be quite large, from 90 to 190 mm long.
- Adult Leaves: As the tree grows, its leaves become a similar shade of green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear or slightly curved, usually 75 to 150 mm long. Each leaf has a stalk, called a petiole, which is 10 to 37 mm long.
- Flower Buds: The flower buds grow in groups of seven, nine, or eleven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds sits on a flat stalk, called a peduncle, which is 10 to 18 mm long. The individual buds are oval-shaped and have a pointy cap, called an operculum.
- Flowers: This tree has beautiful white flowers. They have been seen blooming in September.
Fruit
After the flowers, the tree produces woody fruit. These fruits are shaped like a shortened ball or sphere. They are about 9 to 12 mm long and 10 to 13 mm wide. Inside the fruit are parts called valves, which are below the rim of the fruit.
How Did it Get Its Name?
The Blackdown stringybark was first officially described in 1972. Two scientists, Lawrie Johnson and Donald Blaxell, gave it its scientific name, Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa.
The second part of its scientific name, sphaerocarpa, comes from ancient Greek words. "Sphaero" means "spherical" (like a ball), and "carpa" means "fruit." So, the name sphaerocarpa refers to the round, ball-like shape of its fruit.
Where Does the Blackdown Stringybark Grow?
This tree loves to grow in tall, open forests. You can only find the Blackdown stringybark in one specific area: the Blackdown Tableland. This special place is located west of a city called Rockhampton in Queensland.
Is the Blackdown Stringybark Safe?
Good news! The Blackdown stringybark is not currently in danger. The Queensland Government has classified it as "least concern" under their Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means there are enough of these trees, and they are not at risk of disappearing right now.
