Eucalyptus grisea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey gum |
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| Flower buds of Eucalyptus grisea | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
grisea
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The Eucalyptus grisea, often called grey gum, is a type of tree. It grows naturally only in central Queensland, Australia. This tree has smooth, greyish bark. It also has special lance-shaped or egg-shaped adult leaves. Its flower buds grow in groups of seven, and its flowers are white. The fruit of the grey gum is usually shaped like a cup.
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What Does the Grey Gum Look Like?
The grey gum tree can grow quite tall, up to about 28 meters (92 feet). It has smooth bark that looks patchy. The bark is a mix of whitish and dark greyish-brown colors.
Leaves of the Grey Gum
Young grey gum plants have leaves that are lighter on their underside. These young leaves can be up to 100 mm (4 inches) long and 50 mm (2 inches) wide. They have a small stalk, called a petiole, that connects them to the branch.
Adult leaves are a bit different. They are dark green on top and paler underneath. These leaves can be 100 to 180 mm (4-7 inches) long and 30 to 60 mm (1-2.5 inches) wide. They also have a petiole, which is 17 to 33 mm (0.7-1.3 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds of the grey gum grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds sits on a stalk called a peduncle, which is 8 to 15 mm (0.3-0.6 inches) long. Each individual bud has a tiny stalk, called a pedicel, that is 2 to 4 mm (0.08-0.16 inches) long.
When the buds are ready, they are oval-shaped. They are about 7 to 10 mm (0.3-0.4 inches) long and 4 to 5 mm (0.16-0.2 inches) wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum. The flowers themselves are white. After the flowers, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is usually cup-shaped and is called a capsule. It is 4 to 9 mm (0.16-0.35 inches) long and 8 to 12 mm (0.3-0.5 inches) wide. The parts that hold the seeds stick out above the rim of the fruit.
How the Grey Gum Got Its Name
The Eucalyptus grisea was officially named in the year 2000. Two botanists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, described it in a science journal called Telopea.
The second part of its scientific name, grisea, comes from a Latin word. Griseus means "grey." This name was chosen because of the tree's grey-colored bark.
Where the Grey Gum Lives
The grey gum tree grows in woodlands and open forests. You can find it in the Carnarvon Range, which is located in central Queensland.
Is the Grey Gum in Danger?
The Queensland Government has a law called the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Under this law, the grey gum is classified as "least concern." This means that it is not currently considered to be at risk of disappearing.
