Eucalyptus corynodes facts for kids

Eucalyptus corynodes is a special type of tree that grows only in Queensland, Australia. It's famous for its tough, dark grey bark, which looks a bit like iron! This tree has long, narrow leaves, white flowers, and cool, barrel-shaped fruits.

What Does It Look Like?

The Eucalyptus corynodes is a tree that usually grows up to 20 m (66 ft) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like by a bushfire.

Its Bark

This tree has very hard, dark grey to black bark on its trunk and thicker branches. This is why it's often called an "ironbark" tree. On thinner branches, the bark is smooth and sometimes has a dull, bluish-green color, which is called glaucous.

Its Leaves

• Young leaves: When the tree is young or regrowing, its leaves are dull bluish-green (glaucous) and shaped like a spear. They are about 60–95 mm (2.4–3.7 in) long and 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) wide.
• Adult leaves: Older leaves are also spear-shaped or slightly curved. They have the same dull bluish or glaucous color on both sides. These leaves are longer, about 80–170 mm (3.1–6.7 in) long and 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) wide. Each leaf has a stalk called a petiole, which is about 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) long.

Its Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of the Eucalyptus corynodes grow in groups.

• Flower buds: The buds usually grow in groups of seven on a flattened stalk called a peduncle, which is 8–20 mm (0.31–0.79 in) long. Each individual bud has its own small stalk, a pedicel, about 3–7 mm (0.12–0.28 in) long. The mature buds are oval or club-shaped, about 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. They have a rounded or cone-shaped cap called an operculum.
• Flowering time: This tree blooms with white flowers from June to August.
• Fruit: After flowering, the tree produces woody, barrel-shaped or cup-shaped fruits. These fruits are called capsules, and the parts that open to release seeds are hidden inside.

How It Got Its Name

The Eucalyptus corynodes was officially named in 1994 by two scientists, Anthony Bean and Ian Brooker. They found a sample of the tree near a place called Cracow.

The second part of its scientific name, corynodes, comes from an Ancient Greek word. It means "clublike," which describes the shape of the tree's flower buds!

Where Does It Grow?

This special eucalypt tree likes to grow on rocky ridges where the soil is not very deep. You can find it in Queensland, Australia, in areas between Rolleston, Eidsvold, Cracow, and Monto. There's also another group of these trees growing separately in the Roma-Surat area.

Is It Endangered?

Good news! The Eucalyptus corynodes is listed as "least concern" by the Queensland Government. This means that, for now, there are plenty of these trees, and they are not considered to be in danger of disappearing.