Twin Peak Island mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twin Peak Island Mallee |
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| Eucalyptus insularis growing at Cape Le Grande | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
insularis
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The Eucalyptus insularis, often called the Twin Peak Island mallee or North Twin Peak Island mallee, is a special type of mallee tree. It only grows naturally in a small part of southern Western Australia. This plant usually has smooth bark and dull green leaves. Its flowers are white and grow in groups of nine to twenty or more. After flowering, it produces barrel-shaped fruits.
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What the Twin Peak Island Mallee Looks Like
The Twin Peak Island mallee is a type of small tree that usually grows between 1.5 and 8 meters (about 5 to 26 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the plant regrow if it gets damaged, like from a bushfire.
Most of its bark is smooth and greyish. Sometimes, older, larger stems might have rough, stringy bark.
Leaves and Flowers
Young plants and new shoots have leaves that are oblong or lance-shaped. These leaves are about 35 to 55 millimeters (1.4 to 2.2 inches) long and 8 to 15 millimeters (0.3 to 0.6 inches) wide. They grow directly from the stem in opposite pairs.
Adult leaves are a dull green color on both sides. They are linear, meaning long and narrow, about 28 to 55 millimeters (1.1 to 2.2 inches) long and 4 to 7 millimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) wide. These leaves grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is about 4 to 8 millimeters (0.16 to 0.31 inches) long.
The flower buds grow in groups of nine to twenty or more. They hang down from a stalk called a peduncle, which is 3 to 8 millimeters (0.12 to 0.31 inches) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, about 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) long.
Mature buds are oval-shaped, about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. They have a rounded or cone-shaped cap called an operculum.
The Twin Peak Island mallee flowers in August. Its flowers are white or creamy white.
Fruit
After flowering, the plant produces a woody, barrel-shaped fruit. This fruit is a type of capsule, about 7 to 8 millimeters (0.28 to 0.31 inches) long and 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) wide. The parts that open to release the seeds are almost level with the rim of the fruit.
How the Twin Peak Mallee Got Its Name
The Eucalyptus insularis was officially described for the first time in 1974. This was done by a scientist named Ian Brooker. He found a sample of the plant on North Twin Peak Island, which is part of the Recherche Archipelago. The description was then published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The name insularis comes from a Latin word that means 'of an island'. This name was chosen because the first plant sample used to describe the species was found on an island.
Different Types of Twin Peak Mallee
In 2014, two scientists, Dean Nicolle and Ian Brooker, identified two slightly different types, or subspecies, of E. insularis. These types are now officially recognized:
- Eucalyptus insularis subsp. continentalis: This type is a spreading mallee that grows on the mainland. Its adult leaves are usually 3 to 6 millimeters (0.12 to 0.24 inches) wide.
- Eucalyptus insularis subsp. insularis: This type is an upright mallee with many stems. It only grows on North Twin Peak Island. Its leaves are wider, about 6 to 9 millimeters (0.24 to 0.35 inches) wide.
Where the Twin Peak Mallee Lives
The Twin Peak Island mallee grows in dense shrubland and heath areas. It is often found near granite rock outcrops.
The subspecies continentalis is only found in two or three places on the mainland. These spots are within the Cape Le Grand National Park. The subspecies insularis only grows on North Twin Peak Island.
Protecting the Twin Peak Mallee
The Twin Peak Island mallee is considered "endangered" by the Australian Government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing from the wild.
The subspecies continentalis is listed as "Threatened Flora." This means it is a rare plant that needs special protection. The subspecies insularis is classified as "Priority Four." This means it is rare or close to being threatened.
The biggest danger to this plant is that its natural living areas are becoming smaller and more separated. This makes it harder for the populations to survive and grow.
