Eucalyptus × lamprocalyx facts for kids

Eucalyptus × lamprocalyx is a special kind of tree or shrub. It grows only in the Kimberley area of Western Australia. This plant is a natural hybrid. This means it's a mix of two other types of trees. It comes from Corymbia cadophora and C. polycarpa. It has bark that looks like a puzzle on its trunk and branches. Its leaves are shaped like spears and grow in pairs. It also has flower buds that grow in small groups.

What it Looks Like

Eucalyptus × lamprocalyx is a tree or shrub that can grow up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. It often has a crooked shape and spreads out. Its bark is greyish and looks like a puzzle or tiles. This is called "tessellated" bark.

• Leaves: The adult leaves grow in pairs directly opposite each other. They don't have a stalk. They are greyish-green on both sides. Each leaf is broadly spear-shaped. They can be 120 to 250 millimeters (about 5 to 10 inches) long. They are also 50 to 80 millimeters (about 2 to 3 inches) wide.
• Flower Buds: The flower buds grow in groups of seven to eleven. These groups are on a thick stalk called a peduncle. This stalk is 12 to 25 millimeters (about 0.5 to 1 inch) long. Each individual bud has its own short, thick stem, called a pedicel, up to 3 millimeters long.
• Mature Buds: When the buds are ready, they are oval or pear-shaped. The base of the flower, called the floral cup, is 8 to 12 millimeters (about 0.3 to 0.5 inches) long. It is also 8 to 10 millimeters (about 0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The top part, called the operculum, is shaped like half a sphere. It is 4 to 5 millimeters (about 0.16 to 0.2 inches) long and 5 to 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches) wide. It has a small point on top.
• Fruit: After the flowers, the plant produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a capsule, shaped like an oval or an urn. It is 30 to 40 millimeters (about 1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. It is also 20 to 30 millimeters (about 0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide.

How it Got its Name

This special eucalypt was first officially described in 1834. A person named William Blakely gave it the name Eucalyptus lamprocalyx. He wrote about it in his book, A Key to the Eucalypts.

Today, experts at the Australian Plant Census believe this tree is a natural hybrid. This means it formed naturally by mixing genes from two different parent trees. Its parents are Corymbia cadophora and C. polycarpa. However, it doesn't yet have a specific name in the Corymbia group of trees.

Where it Lives

This eucalypt tree grows in woodlands. You can find it in the western part of the Kimberley region in Western Australia.