Paper-barked box facts for kids
The Paper-barked box (Eucalyptus fitzgeraldii) is a special tree found only in Western Australia. It's also known as the broad-leaved box. This tree has unique rough bark that peels off like paper. It also has pretty whitish-cream flowers.
Quick facts for kids Paper-barked box |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
fitzgeraldii
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Discovering the Paper-barked Box
The Paper-barked box is a tree that usually grows to be about 5 to 15 metres (16 to 49 ft) tall. It has rough, grey bark that feels like fiber or flakes. This bark peels off in thin, papery pieces.
Its adult leaves are shaped like an egg or are almost round. They look shiny when they are fresh. These leaves can be up to 100 mm (3.9 in) long and 120 mm (4.7 in) wide. They grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which can be up to 40 mm (1.6 in) long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. Each group is on a main stalk, or peduncle, about 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long. The individual buds sit on tiny stalks called pedicels, which are about 5 mm (0.20 in) long.
When the buds are ready, they have a bell-shaped part at the bottom, about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and wide. The top part, called an operculum, is shaped like a cone. It is about 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. The Paper-barked box flowers between August and September, and its flowers are a whitish-cream color.
How it Got its Name
The Paper-barked box was first officially described in 1934. A scientist named William Blakely gave it its scientific name, Eucalyptus fitzgeraldii. He studied a sample of the tree that was collected by William Vincent Fitzgerald. This sample was found between Tabletop Mountain and the Artesian Range, near the Charnley River.
The second part of its scientific name, fitzgeraldii, is a special way to honor the person who collected the first sample, William Vincent Fitzgerald.
Where Does it Grow?
The broad-leaved box is found in the northern part of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. It likes to grow on rocky hillsides and flat areas. You can often find it in clay soils, especially where there are rocks like basalt or dolerite.
Is it Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has a list of plants that need special attention. This eucalypt is on that list as "Priority Two".
Being "Priority Two" means that we don't know a lot about this tree. It has only been found in one or a few places. This classification helps make sure people are aware of it and can work to protect it.
