Eucalyptus calyerup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus calyerup |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
calyerup
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Eucalyptus calyerup is a special kind of tree. It only grows in a small part of Western Australia. This tree has rough bark near the bottom of its trunk. Higher up, its bark is smooth. It has unique leaves, creamy-yellow flowers, and interesting bell-shaped fruits.
Contents
What the Calyerup Mallee Looks Like
The Eucalyptus calyerup is a tree that usually grows up to 10 metres (33 ft) tall. It rarely forms a lignotuber, which is a woody lump at the base of some trees that helps them regrow after a fire.
The bottom 70 cm (28 in) of its trunk has dark grey, rough bark. Above that, the bark is smooth and can be pale cream or light pink.
- Young Leaves: When the tree is young, its leaves are bluish-green. They are egg-shaped, about 45–60 mm (1.8–2.4 in) long and 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) wide.
- Adult Leaves: Older leaves are shiny green on both sides. They can be egg-shaped or pointed, measuring 38–77 mm (1.5–3.0 in) long and 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) wide. These leaves grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem (called the leaf axil). Each group of buds is on a flat stalk, or peduncle, about 20–35 mm (0.79–1.38 in) long. Each individual flower bud has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, which is 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long.
Mature buds are 20–33 mm (0.79–1.30 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide. They have a horn-shaped cap, called an operculum. This cap is narrower but about twice as long as the base of the flower.
The Eucalyptus calyerup blooms between October and December. Its flowers are a beautiful creamy yellow color. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or a bell. They are 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) wide. Each fruit sits on a small pedicel, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long.
How it Got its Name
The Eucalyptus calyerup was officially described in 2002. This means scientists gave it its formal name. The scientists who named it were Nathan K. McQuoid and Stephen Hopper. They found a sample of the tree near a place called Calyerup Rocks. This area is east of Jerramungup.
The name calyerup comes from this "type location" where the first sample was found. The description of the tree was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Scientists think this species might be a natural hybrid. This means it could be a mix of two other eucalyptus trees: E. occidentalis and E. platypus. Even though E. platypus doesn't grow in the exact same spot, it's still a possibility.
Where the Calyerup Mallee Lives
This special eucalypt tree is found in the Great Southern area of Western Australia. It grows around rocky places between Katanning and Jerramungup. It prefers to grow in sandy-loam soils that are found over granite rock.
Protecting the Calyerup Mallee
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given this tree a special classification. It is listed as "Priority One".
This means that the Eucalyptus calyerup is known to grow in only a few places. These locations are potentially at risk, so the tree needs extra protection to keep it safe.
Using the Calyerup Mallee
Local groups like Landcare have used Eucalyptus calyerup a lot. They have found that this tree is strong and can resist attacks from tiny insects called lerp. This makes it a good choice for planting in certain areas.
