Common southern mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common southern mallee |
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| Flower buds of Eucalyptus phaenophylla | |
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Eucalyptus
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phaenophylla
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The Common Southern Mallee (scientific name: Eucalyptus phaenophylla) is a special type of eucalyptus tree. It grows only in Western Australia. This plant is known for its smooth bark. It also has pale lemon-yellow flowers and interesting barrel-shaped fruits.
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What is the Common Southern Mallee?
The Common Southern Mallee is a type of mallee. This means it's a small, bushy eucalyptus tree. It usually grows between 1 to 6 meters (about 3 to 20 feet) tall. It has smooth bark that can be grey or brownish. This bark often peels off in long strips.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
The leaves of this mallee are glossy green. They can be long and narrow, like a spear or an oval. Each leaf is about 45 to 80 millimeters long. That's about 1.7 to 3.1 inches.
Its flower buds grow in groups of up to thirteen. They are shaped like a spindle. When they open, you'll see pale lemon-yellow flowers. These flowers usually bloom from January to March or from September to November. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits can be shaped like a barrel, cylinder, or cone. They are about 5 to 9 millimeters long.
Naming the Common Southern Mallee
The scientific name for this plant is Eucalyptus phaenophylla. It was first officially described in 1991. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Stephen Hopper, gave it this name. They wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The name phaenophylla comes from ancient Greek words. "Phaeno" means "shining," and "phylla" means "leaved." So, the name means "shining-leaved."
Where Does It Grow?
The Common Southern Mallee is found in Western Australia. It grows on gently rolling sandy plains. You can also find it on ridges and rocky slopes. It prefers areas where many different mallee plants grow together. These areas are called mallee communities. It grows between towns like Wickepin and the Ravensthorpe Range.
Is It Endangered?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified this eucalypt as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
