Barren Mountain mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barren Mountain mallee |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
approximans
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The Barren Mountain mallee (Eucalyptus approximans) is a special type of mallee tree. It is found only in a small part of New South Wales, Australia. This plant has smooth bark and leaves that can be long and narrow or slightly curved.
You can spot its unique club-shaped flower buds. These buds grow in groups of seven. When they bloom, they show pretty white flowers. After flowering, the plant produces fruit that looks like a small cylinder or cup.
Contents
What Does the Barren Mountain Mallee Look Like?
The Barren Mountain mallee is a thin tree. It can grow up to 6 m (20 ft) tall. Its bark is smooth and can be white or grey.
Leaves and Flowers
Young plants have shiny green leaves. These leaves are narrow and can be 65–140 mm (3–6 in) long. They are a different shade of green on each side. As the plant gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves are glossy green on both sides. They are about 55–120 mm (2–5 in) long. Each leaf has a small stem called a petiole.
The flower buds are usually found in groups of seven. Each group grows on a stalk called a peduncle. The buds themselves are club-shaped. They are about 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The top part of the bud is rounded.
When Does it Flower?
This mallee blooms between March and June. Its flowers are white. After the flowers, the plant grows fruit. This fruit is a capsule that looks like a cylinder or cup. It is about 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long.
How Did the Barren Mountain Mallee Get its Name?
The Barren Mountain mallee was first officially described in 1919. A scientist named Joseph Maiden gave it its formal name, Eucalyptus approximans. He studied a plant sample found on Barren Mountain.
Maiden noticed that this plant was "close" to another type of eucalypt. This other plant is called Eucalyptus stricta. The name approximans means "approaching" or "similar to." This probably refers to its closeness to Eucalyptus stricta.
Where Does This Plant Live?
The Barren Mountain mallee is very rare. It is only found on Barren Mountain. This mountain is near a town called Ebor in New South Wales.
It grows in special areas called mallee shrubland. The soil there is thin and does not have many nutrients.
Protecting the Barren Mountain Mallee
This unique eucalypt is considered "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of disappearing. The New South Wales Government protects it under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
The biggest dangers to the Barren Mountain mallee are:
- Fires: Fires that happen too often or at the wrong time can harm the plants.
- Clearing land: Land being cleared for farming also threatens its home.
