Budawang ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Budawang ash |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
dendromorpha
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus obtusiflora var. dendromorpha Blakely |
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The Eucalyptus dendromorpha, often called the Budawang ash or giant mallee ash, is a special tree. It grows only in southeastern Australia. This tree has rough bark on its lower trunk. Higher up, its bark is smooth and white or cream-colored.
Its leaves are shaped like a spear. The tree produces white flowers that grow in groups of seven to eleven. After the flowers, it forms cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruits.
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About the Budawang Ash Tree
The Budawang ash is a type of tree that usually grows to about 15 meters (around 50 feet) tall. Some can even reach 30 meters (nearly 100 feet)! It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like from a bushfire.
What Does It Look Like?
The bark on the bottom part of the trunk is rough and scaly. Higher up, the bark is smooth and can be grey or white. You might even see wiggly lines on the smooth bark, which are made by tiny insects.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Budawang ash trees have shiny green leaves that are lighter on the underside. These leaves are about 7.5 to 14 centimeters (3 to 5.5 inches) long. Older trees have shiny green leaves that are lance-shaped. They are usually 7 to 12 centimeters (2.7 to 4.7 inches) long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven, nine, or eleven. They are oval or club-shaped. When they bloom, the flowers are white. This usually happens in December and January.
Fruit of the Tree
After the flowers, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cup or a barrel. They are about 7 to 10 millimeters (0.27 to 0.4 inches) long.
How the Budawang Ash Got Its Name
The Budawang ash was first officially described in 1941. A scientist named William Blakely gave it the name Eucalyptus obtusiflora var. dendromorpha. He studied a sample collected by Richard Hind Cambage.
Later, in 1972, two other scientists, Lawrie Johnson and Donald Blaxell, decided it was unique enough to be its own species. So, they named it E. dendromorpha.
Meaning of the Name
The name dendromorpha comes from two ancient Greek words:
- Dendron means "tree."
- Morphe means "form" or "shape."
This name describes how this tree grows, which is different from a similar plant called E. obtusiflora. That plant often grows as a mallee, which is a bushier, multi-stemmed form.
Where Does It Grow?
The Budawang ash grows in forests in southeastern Australia. You can find it in the mountain ranges. Its range stretches from Mount Tomah in the Blue Mountains down to Monga near Braidwood.
