Large-fruited gimlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Large-fruited gimlet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
creta
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The Eucalyptus creta, commonly called the large-fruited gimlet, is a special type of tree or "mallet." It grows only in Western Australia. This tree has smooth, shiny bark and long, narrow adult leaves. Its flower buds grow in groups of three, and the flowers are quite large, usually white or creamy yellow. After the flowers, it produces interesting, broadly bell-shaped fruits.
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What Does the Large-fruited Gimlet Look Like?
The large-fruited gimlet is a tree or "mallet" that typically grows from 3 to 15 meters (about 10 to 49 feet) tall. Unlike some other trees, it does not form a lignotuber. A lignotuber is a woody swelling at the base of the stem that helps the plant regrow after a fire.
Bark and Leaves
This tree has smooth, shiny bark. Its color can be yellowish, greenish, brownish, or even copper-colored. The adult leaves are narrow and shaped like a spear, which is called "lance-shaped." They are glossy green on both sides. These leaves are usually between 55 and 132 millimeters (about 2 to 5 inches) long and 12 to 35 millimeters (about 0.5 to 1.4 inches) wide. Each leaf grows on a small stalk called a petiole, which is 8 to 18 millimeters long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds of the large-fruited gimlet grow in groups of three. They are found in the "axils" of the leaves. An axil is the angle between a leaf and the stem. These buds grow on a very short stalk, called a peduncle, which is only 1 to 3 millimeters long. The individual buds sit directly on this stalk without their own tiny stems, which is called "sessile."
When the buds are ready to open, they are oval-shaped, about 15 to 22 millimeters long and 14 to 20 millimeters wide. They have a wing on two sides of the "floral cup." The floral cup is the base of the flower. The buds also have a beaked "operculum," which is like a cap that covers the flower parts before they open.
The large-fruited gimlet usually flowers in May. Its flowers are white to creamy yellow. After flowering, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a "capsule," which is a dry fruit that opens to release seeds. It is shaped like a hemisphere or a shallow cup. The fruit has two wings along its sides. The parts that open to release seeds, called "valves," are either level with the rim of the fruit or stick out a bit.
How Did the Large-fruited Gimlet Get Its Name?
The Eucalyptus creta was first officially described in 1991. This was done by two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill. They studied a sample collected north of Mount Ney, which is northeast of Esperance.
The second part of its scientific name, creta, comes from a Latin word. This word means "grow" or "increase." It was chosen because it refers to the way the buds, flowers, and fruit grow on the plant.
Where Does the Large-fruited Gimlet Live?
The large-fruited gimlet is quite common in a small area northeast of Esperance. This region is part of the Esperance Plains and Mallee areas in Western Australia.
It prefers to grow on flat, chalky plains. You can find it in sandy loam or clay soils. These areas usually have very few other plants growing underneath the trees.
Is the Large-fruited Gimlet Endangered?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given this eucalypt a "Priority Three" conservation status.
This means that the large-fruited gimlet is not very well known. It has only been found in a few locations. However, it is not currently facing an immediate threat of disappearing. Scientists continue to monitor its populations to ensure its safety.
