Eucalyptus discreta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus discreta |
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| E. discreta near Scaddan | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
discreta
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Eucalyptus discreta is a special kind of Eucalyptus tree or shrub. It only grows in Western Australia. This plant has smooth, creamy-brown and pale grey bark. Its leaves are long and narrow. It also has pretty creamy-white flowers that grow in groups. After flowering, it produces small, barrel-shaped fruits.
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What Does the Eucalyptus Discreta Look Like?
Eucalyptus discreta is usually a shrub or a mallee. It typically grows between 1.5 and 5 meters (about 5 to 16 feet) tall. This plant has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
The bark is smooth and has creamy-brown and pale grey colors. Sometimes, you can see loose, rough strips of bark near the bottom of the stem.
Young plants have dull green leaves. These leaves are long and narrow, about 2.5 to 5.5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) long. They are arranged in opposite pairs.
Adult leaves are a bit shiny and green on both sides. They are shaped like a narrow spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are about 4 to 9.5 centimeters (1.5 to 3.7 inches) long. Each leaf has a stalk, called a petiole, which is about 0.5 to 1.8 centimeters (0.2 to 0.7 inches) long.
The flower buds grow in groups of seven or nine. They are oval-shaped and about 4 to 7 millimeters (0.15 to 0.27 inches) long. Each bud has a cap, called an operculum, which is usually dome-shaped.
This plant flowers between January and April. Its flowers are a lovely creamy-white color. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a small barrel and are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and wide.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Eucalyptus discreta was first officially described in 1979. A botanist named Ian Brooker gave it its name. He wrote about it in a science journal called Brunonia.
Brooker collected the first sample of this plant in 1974. He found it about 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Esperance. The second part of its scientific name, discreta, comes from a Latin word. It means "separated." This name refers to how the young leaves of the plant are arranged.
This species belongs to a large group of eucalypts. It is closely related to another type of eucalyptus called E. uncinata. However, E. discreta has juvenile leaves that are not joined at the base, unlike E. uncinata.
Where Does the Eucalyptus Discreta Grow?
This mallee grows in open shrubland areas. You can find it on flat lands near the coast. It lives in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. This area stretches between Ravensthorpe and the Nullarbor Plain.
It prefers sandy-loamy soils. These soils are usually found over limestone or granite rock.
Is the Eucalyptus Discreta Endangered?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the status of Eucalyptus discreta. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
