Nunniong gum facts for kids

Eucalyptus elaeophloia, often called Nunniong gum or olive mallee, is a special type of tree or mallee. It is found only in a small area of Victoria, Australia. This plant usually has smooth, greenish-grey bark. Its leaves are shiny green and shaped like a spear. The flowers are white and grow in groups of three. After flowering, it produces cone-shaped fruits.

What is Nunniong Gum Like?

Eucalyptus elaeophloia is a tree or a mallee. A mallee is a type of eucalyptus that grows many stems from a large, woody base underground. This plant usually grows to be about 4 to 12 meters tall. It has smooth bark that can be greenish or greyish. Sometimes, the bark at the very bottom of the tree is a bit rough.

Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit

Young Nunniong gum plants have leaves that are mostly in pairs. These leaves are oval or egg-shaped, about 30-40 mm long and 20-40 mm wide. As the plant gets older, its adult leaves grow one by one. They are shiny green and shaped like a spear or egg. These leaves are also 30-40 mm long and 20-40 mm wide. They grow on a flat stem called a petiole, which is 8-20 mm long.

The flower buds grow in groups of three where the leaves meet the stem. These buds are oval-shaped, about 5-7 mm long. They have a cone-shaped cap called an operculum. Nunniong gum flowers are white and usually bloom in March.

After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are cone-shaped or half-round. They are about 4-5 mm long and 6-8 mm wide. The parts that open to release seeds stick out past the edge of the fruit.

Naming the Nunniong Gum

Eucalyptus elaeophloia was officially named in 1990. Three scientists, Jennifer Chappill, Michael Crisp, and Suzanne Prober, described it in a science journal. The first samples of this plant were collected in 1987 from Brumby Point in the Alpine National Park.

What Does the Name Mean?

The second part of its scientific name, elaeophloia, comes from an ancient Greek word. Elaia means "olive," which refers to the greenish color of the tree's bark.

This species is closely related to another eucalyptus called Eucalyptus imlayensis. That one grows in New South Wales.

Where Does Nunniong Gum Live?

The Nunniong gum is only found in one specific place: the Nunniong Plateau in Victoria. This means it's very special and doesn't grow anywhere else in the world!

Surviving Bushfires

In 2003, big bushfires swept through the area where Nunniong gum lives. The fires burned all of its known habitat. However, most of these plants are very tough. They were able to grow back from their trunks and from their special woody bases underground, called lignotubers. This shows how resilient they are!

Is Nunniong Gum Safe?

The Nunniong gum is listed as "vulnerable" by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in Victoria. This means that while it's not in immediate danger of disappearing, it needs protection. Its population is not very large, and it could be at risk in the future if its habitat is disturbed.