Eneabba mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eneabba mallee |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
impensa
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The Eucalyptus impensa, often called the Eneabba mallee, is a special type of mallee tree. It is found only in a small area of Western Australia. This plant has smooth bark and dull, light green leaves. Its flower buds grow one by one, and its flowers are pink. It also produces large, flat, round fruits.
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What is the Eneabba Mallee?
The Eneabba mallee (scientific name: Eucalyptus impensa) is a straggly mallee plant. It usually grows to about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall. This plant has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after a fire.
How it Looks
The Eneabba mallee has smooth bark that is grey and brownish. Young plants and new shoots (called coppice regrowth) have leaves that are broadly egg-shaped. These leaves are about 60–110 mm (2.4–4.3 in) long and 45–65 mm (1.8–2.6 in) wide.
Adult leaves are also broadly lance-shaped or egg-shaped. They are larger, about 105–140 mm (4.1–5.5 in) long and 40–80 mm (1.6–3.1 in) wide. These leaves grow on a thick stalk called a petiole, which can be up to 10 mm (0.39 in) long.
The flower buds grow one by one in the leaf corners. They are on a thick stem called a peduncle, about 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long. A mature bud is oval or round, about 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) long and 25–35 mm (0.98–1.38 in) wide. It has a beak-shaped cap, or operculum, about 25 mm (0.98 in) long.
The Eneabba mallee has pink flowers. They have been seen blooming in May, June, and July. After flowering, the plant produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a flattened, half-sphere-shaped capsule. It is about 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) long and 48–55 mm (1.9–2.2 in) wide. The parts that release the seeds stick out above the rim.
Naming the Eneabba Mallee
The Eucalyptus impensa was first officially described in 1993. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Stephen Hopper, gave it its scientific name. They found a sample of the plant near Warradarge in 1987. Their description was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The second part of its scientific name, impensa, comes from a Latin word. It means 'ample', 'great', 'large', or 'strong'. This name was chosen because of the plant's large leaves and fruits.
Where Does it Live?
The Eneabba mallee is found in a very small area. It grows in only six known groups of plants. These groups are spread out over about 3 km (1.9 mi) near Eneabba in Western Australia.
It prefers to grow in open shrub mallee areas. These are places with low heath plants on rolling plains and rocky breakaways.
Why is it Endangered?
The Eneabba mallee is considered an "Endangered" species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. The Australian Government lists it as "Endangered" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia) also lists it as "Threatened Flora."
In 2009, scientists knew of eight groups of these plants. They counted about 114 mature plants in total. This is a very small number.
Threats to the Eneabba Mallee
Several things threaten the survival of the Eneabba mallee:
- Insect damage: Insects can harm the plants.
- Fire: The wrong kind of fires can damage or destroy the plants.
- Firebreak maintenance: Work done to create firebreaks can accidentally harm the plants.
- Disease: Plants can get sick.
Overall, the species is threatened because it grows in such a small area. Also, not enough new plants are growing to replace the older ones. An "interim recovery plan" has been created to help protect this special plant.
