Cummins mallee facts for kids

The Eucalyptus peninsularis, also known as Cummins mallee, is a special type of mallee tree or shrub. It is found only in a small area of South Australia. This plant has smooth, grey or brownish bark. Its adult leaves are shaped like a spear, and its flower buds grow in groups of seven to eleven. When it flowers, you'll see pale creamy yellow blossoms. After flowering, it produces urn-shaped fruits.

What Does It Look Like?

The Cummins mallee is a type of mallee plant that usually grows up to 6 m (20 ft) tall. It has a special woody base called a lignotuber. This lignotuber helps the plant regrow, especially after a fire.

Its bark is smooth and can be grey or brownish. It often peels off in long strips. Young plants and new shoots have dull green leaves that are oval or egg-shaped. These leaves grow in pairs directly opposite each other on the stem.

Adult leaves are shiny green on both sides and are arranged alternately along the stem. They are shaped like a spear, about 70–130 mm (2.8–5.1 in) long and 10–23 mm (0.39–0.91 in) wide. They narrow down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 15–25 mm (0.59–0.98 in) long.

The flower buds grow in the leaf axils (the angle between a leaf and the stem). They appear in groups of seven, nine, or eleven on a stalk called a peduncle, which is 5–13 mm (0.20–0.51 in) long. Each individual bud sits on a smaller stalk called a pedicel, about 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long.

Mature buds are 12–17 mm (0.47–0.67 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. They have a ribbed, urn-shaped base (the floral cup) and a top part (the operculum) that looks like a beak or a horn. Cummins mallee flowers have been seen in December, and they are a pale creamy yellow color.

After the flowers, the plant produces woody, urn-shaped fruits called capsules. These fruits are 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) wide. Sometimes the parts that open to release seeds (called valves) are hidden inside the fruit, and sometimes they stick out.

How It Got Its Name

The Eucalyptus peninsularis was first officially described in 1997. This description was made by a botanist named Dean Nicolle in his book, Eucalypts of South Australia.

The first samples of this plant, which helped scientists describe it, were collected in 1972. They were found north-west of Cummins on the road to Mount Hope.

The second part of its scientific name, peninsularis, comes from the Latin word "peninsula." This word means "a narrow body of land." It refers to where this plant is found: on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.

Where Does It Live?

The Cummins mallee is only found in the south-central parts of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. You can especially find it near the towns of Cummins and Yeelanna. It grows in open mallee areas or woodlands.

Why Is It Important to Protect It?

The Eucalyptus peninsularis often grows together with other mallee plants, like E. dumosa or E. calycogona. This group of plants forms a special ecosystem.

Unfortunately, this mallee plant community is considered "poorly conserved" in South Australia. This means that not enough of its natural habitat is protected. Only small parts of this important ecosystem are currently saved. These protected areas include the Hambidge Wilderness Protection Area, the Verran Tanks Conservation Park, and the Wharminda Conservation Park. Protecting these areas helps ensure the Cummins mallee and other plants can continue to thrive.