Book-leaf mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Book-leaf mallee |
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| Eucalyptus krueseana leaves and flowers. | |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
kruseana
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus morrisonii Maiden |
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The Eucalyptus kruseana, often called the book-leaf mallee, is a special type of eucalyptus tree. It is found only in the inland parts of Western Australia. This plant is known for its smooth bark, which peels off in long strips. It also has unique leaves that stay small and close to the stem, and pretty greenish-yellow flowers.
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What Does the Book-Leaf Mallee Look Like?
The book-leaf mallee is a bushy plant that usually grows between 2 and 3.5 meters (about 7 to 11.5 feet) tall. It has smooth bark that can be coppery or dark grey. This bark peels off in long ribbons. Near the bottom of the plant, the bark is rougher. Its younger branches are often white and waxy.
The leaves of this plant are quite interesting. They grow in pairs, one across from the other. They are "sessile," which means they attach directly to the stem without a stalk. These leaves are shaped like a heart or are nearly round. They are about 10 to 25 millimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) long and wide. Both sides of the leaves are a dull grey color. Older, "adult" leaves rarely grow on this plant.
The flowers grow in groups of seven. Each group is on a short stalk called a "peduncle," which is about 4 to 10 millimeters long. Each flower bud sits on an even smaller stalk called a "pedicel," about 1 to 3 millimeters long. The mature flower buds are oval-shaped and have a powdery, greyish-white coating, which is called "glaucous." They are about 7 to 10 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an "operculum."
You can usually see the greenish-yellow flowers from June to September. But sometimes, they also appear in February, March, and May. After the flowers, the plant produces a woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a barrel or a cup and is called a "capsule."
How Did the Book-Leaf Mallee Get Its Name?
The Eucalyptus kruseana was first officially described by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in 1895 in a science journal.
Later, in 1910, another botanist named Joseph Maiden described a plant he called Eucalyptus morrisonii. But by 1920, he realized that this plant was actually the same as Eucalyptus kruseana. So, Eucalyptus morrisonii became a "synonym," meaning it's another name for the same plant.
The second part of the plant's scientific name, "kruseana," was chosen to honor John Kruse. He was a pharmacist from Germany who worked in Melbourne, Australia.
Where Does the Book-Leaf Mallee Grow?
The book-leaf mallee only grows in a specific area of Western Australia. You can find it on or near granite rocks and hills. This area is east and southeast of Kalgoorlie. It grows in sandy-loam soils, which are a mix of sand and clay.
How Do People Use This Plant?
Like many mallees, the book-leaf mallee usually grows with several stems coming from its base. This base is a woody swelling called a "lignotuber." However, when people grow it in gardens, it often grows with just one main stem.
You can buy the book-leaf mallee as small plants in tubes, or you can buy its seeds. It's a tough plant that can handle dry conditions ("drought tolerant") and cold weather ("frost tolerant"). It likes to grow in sunny spots.
People use this plant in gardens because it's very attractive. It can be planted in small or large gardens. It's great for creating a "privacy screen" or a "hedge" to block views. It can also provide shade or be a beautiful "feature" plant on its own. You can prune it quite a lot to help it grow into a nice shape.
