Eucalyptus decolor facts for kids

Eucalyptus decolor is a special kind of eucalypt tree. It is a small to medium-sized tree. You can only find it in Queensland, Australia. This tree has rough, hard bark called "ironbark". Its leaves are shaped like a spear and are lighter on the bottom. It grows white flowers in groups of seven. Its fruit looks like a small cup.

What Does Eucalyptus decolor Look Like?

Eucalyptus decolor trees can grow quite tall. They usually reach about 25 m (82 ft) high. These trees have a special woody swelling at their base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged.

The tree's trunk and big branches have hard, dark grey bark. This bark is deeply cracked, like "ironbark." The smaller branches have smoother bark. It can be white or a little pink.

Young Eucalyptus decolor plants have long, narrow leaves. These leaves are about 95 mm (3.7 in) to 135 mm (5.3 in) long. They are also about 7 mm (0.28 in) to 16 mm (0.63 in) wide. When the tree gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. A cool thing about them is that their underside is much lighter in color. These adult leaves are 65 mm (2.6 in) to 130 mm (5.1 in) long. They are 8 mm (0.31 in) to 22 mm (0.87 in) wide. Each leaf has a stalk called a petiole. This stalk is about 10 mm (0.39 in) to 20 mm (0.79 in) long.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of Eucalyptus decolor grow in groups. Each group has seven flower buds. These groups are found on a special stem called a peduncle. This stem is about 6 mm (0.24 in) to 15 mm (0.59 in) long. Each individual flower bud has its own tiny stalk. This tiny stalk is called a pedicel. It is about 2 mm (0.079 in) to 3 mm (0.12 in) long.

The flower buds are shaped like a spindle or a diamond. They are about 4 mm (0.16 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) to 3 mm (0.12 in) wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap on top. This cap is called an operculum. The tree blooms from December to March. Its flowers are white.

After the flowers, the tree grows fruit. The fruit is a woody capsule. It looks like a small cup or half a sphere. These fruits are about 4 mm (0.16 in) to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. They are also 4 mm (0.16 in) to 6 mm (0.24 in) wide. Each fruit sits on a pedicel that is 1 mm (0.039 in) to 4 mm (0.16 in) long.

How Eucalyptus decolor Got Its Name

Scientists officially described Eucalyptus decolor in 1989. Two botanists, Anthony Bean and Ian Brooker, named it. They found a sample of the tree near Port Curtis. They published their findings in a science journal called Austrobaileya.

The second part of its scientific name, decolor, comes from a Latin word. It means "discolored" or "faded." This name was chosen because the underside of the tree's leaves is much paler than the top.

Where Does Eucalyptus decolor Live?

This special eucalypt tree is quite rare. It is only found in a few small areas. Most of these areas are in hilly and mountainous parts of south-east Queensland.

Protecting Eucalyptus decolor

Eucalyptus decolor is considered "near threatened" by the Queensland Government. This means it's not in immediate danger of disappearing. However, it could become endangered if we don't protect it.

The biggest dangers to this tree are:

• Land clearing: When land is cleared for farms or buildings, the trees are cut down.
• Inappropriate fire regimes: Too many fires, or fires that are too strong, can harm the trees.

It's important to protect these unique trees so they can continue to grow in Queensland.