Pink gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pink gum |
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| Eucalyptus fasciculosa at Victor Harbour | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
fasciculosa
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus paniculata var. fasciculosa (F.Muell.) Benth. |
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The Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) is a type of small tree that grows mainly in southern Australia. It's also known as hill gum or scrub gum. This tree is special because it has smooth, light grey or pinkish bark. It also has long, narrow leaves, white flowers, and interesting cone-shaped fruits.
Contents
What Does the Pink Gum Look Like?
The Pink Gum usually grows as a single tree, reaching about 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet) tall. It can also spread out to about 12 meters (39 feet) wide. Its bark is smooth and can be off-white, light grey, or even a slaty blue color. Sometimes, you might see some rough, flaky bark near the bottom of the tree.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Pink Gum plants have egg-shaped leaves. As the tree grows, its adult leaves become thicker and are a shiny green or blue-green color on both sides. These leaves are about 8 to 13 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long.
The flowers of the Pink Gum are white and grow in groups of seven. These flower buds are shaped like an oval or a diamond. You can often see the Pink Gum flowering between March and December.
Fruit and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or a barrel and are about 5 to 9 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long. Inside the fruit are grey to red-brown seeds that are a bit flat and have an irregular shape.
How the Pink Gum Got Its Name
The scientific name for the Pink Gum is Eucalyptus fasciculosa. This name was first officially given to the tree in 1855 by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller.
The word fasciculosa comes from a Latin word, fascis. This word means "bundle" or "sheaf." It probably refers to how the flowers grow together in bundles on the ends of the branches.
Where Does the Pink Gum Grow?
The Pink Gum mostly grows in the southeastern part of South Australia. You can find it in places like the Mount Lofty Ranges, the Barossa Valley, and on Kangaroo Island. It also grows in a small area in the far southwest of Victoria.
This tree likes to grow in woodlands or as part of low shrubland areas. It prefers soil that isn't very rich in nutrients. The Pink Gum's branches don't create a very dense shade, which means other plants can grow well underneath it.
Using Pink Gum in Gardens
The Pink Gum is a popular choice for planting in gardens, parks, and along streets. It grows at a moderate speed and can handle dry weather. It's also quite good at tolerating moderate winds, including some salty winds from the coast, and light frosts.
Images for kids
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Flower buds
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Fruit
