Tumble-down swamp gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tumble-down swamp gum |
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| Eucalyptus cadens in the Warby Range | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
cadens
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The tumble-down swamp gum, also known as the Warby Range swamp-gum (its scientific name is Eucalyptus cadens), is a small to medium-sized tree. It is special because it is only found in a small part of north-eastern Victoria, Australia.
This unique tree has rough, thick bark on its main trunk and bigger branches. Higher up, the bark is smooth. Its adult leaves are narrow and shaped like a spear. The tree produces white flowers from buds that grow in groups of seven. After flowering, it forms cone-shaped fruits.
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What Does the Tumble-Down Swamp Gum Look Like?
The tumble-down swamp gum is a spreading tree that can grow up to 25 meters (about 82 feet) tall. It often has a unique leaning shape, which is why it's called "tumble-down." This tree can also regrow from a special woody lump at its base called a lignotuber.
The bark on the lower part of the trunk, about 1 to 6 meters (3 to 20 feet) up, is rough, thick, and greyish-brown to black. Higher up on the trunk and branches, the bark is smoother and greyish-green. Sometimes, you might see ribbons of bark peeling off.
Leaves of the Tumble-Down Swamp Gum
Young plants and new shoots have oval or oblong leaves. These leaves are about 1.7 to 5.7 centimeters (0.7 to 2.2 inches) long and 0.5 to 3.5 centimeters (0.2 to 1.4 inches) wide. They grow on a small stalk called a petiole.
Adult leaves are narrow and can be spear-shaped or slightly curved. They are the same color on both sides, measuring 5 to 13 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long and 0.9 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) wide. Their petioles are about 0.5 to 1.7 centimeters (0.2 to 0.7 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit of the Tumble-Down Swamp Gum
The flower buds grow in groups of seven where the leaves meet the stem (called leaf axils). Each group of buds is on a small stalk, 2 to 6 millimeters long. The individual buds are on even smaller stalks, 1 to 2 millimeters long.
Mature buds are oval or diamond-shaped. They have a conical or slightly beaked cap, called an operculum, which is 2.5 to 4 millimeters long. The tumble-down swamp gum flowers between March and June, and its flowers are white.
After the flowers, the tree produces woody, cone-shaped fruits. These fruits are 3 to 4 millimeters long and 4 to 6 millimeters wide. They can be directly attached to the branch or on a very short stalk up to 2 millimeters long. The parts that release the seeds stick out beyond the edge of the fruit.
How Was This Tree Named?
The Eucalyptus cadens was officially described for the first time in 1989. Two scientists, Barbara Briggs and Michael Crisp, gave it its scientific name. They found a sample of the tree at the eastern base of the Warby Range, between the towns of Wangaratta and Glenrowan.
The second part of its scientific name, cadens, comes from a Latin word meaning "to fall." This refers to the tree's leaning or "falling" habit, which is a key feature of this species.
Where Does the Tumble-Down Swamp Gum Live?
The tumble-down swamp gum grows in woodlands. You can often find it near springs, wet areas, and other water bodies. It lives in the south-eastern foothills of the Pilot Range, close to Beechworth and Wooragee. It also grows in the eastern foothills of the Warby Range.
Protecting the Tumble-Down Swamp Gum
The tumble-down swamp gum is considered a "vulnerable" species. This means it needs protection because its numbers are decreasing. It is protected under important Australian laws like the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Victorian Government's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Some of the main dangers to this tree include animals like cows or sheep eating the young plants (grazing). Also, invasive weeds can take over its habitat, and changes in how water flows in its environment can harm it. Protecting these areas helps keep the tumble-down swamp gum safe for the future.
