Narrow-leaved red mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrow-leaved red mallee |
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| Eucalyptus latens growing near Boxwood Hill, Western Australia | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
latens
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The Eucalyptus latens, also called the narrow-leaved red mallee, is a special type of mallee tree. It only grows in the southwest part of Western Australia. This tree has smooth bark that can be grey or coppery.
Its leaves are long and narrow, like a spear. It grows flower buds in groups of seven to eleven or more. When the flowers bloom, they are a creamy white color. After flowering, it produces small, round or barrel-shaped fruits.
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What is the Narrow-leaved Red Mallee?
The Eucalyptus latens is a type of mallee tree. It usually grows to be about 2 to 5 meters (6.5 to 16 feet) tall. This tree has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
How It Looks
The bark of the narrow-leaved red mallee is smooth. It can be grey or have a coppery color. Young plants have narrow, oval-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 20 to 70 millimeters (0.8 to 2.8 inches) long and 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
The adult leaves are shiny green on both sides. They are long and narrow, like a spear, measuring 40 to 95 millimeters (1.6 to 3.7 inches) long. They are about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. These leaves grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is 3 to 10 millimeters (0.1 to 0.4 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds grow in groups of seven, nine, or eleven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds grows on a small stem called a peduncle, which is 4 to 10 millimeters (0.16 to 0.4 inches) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, about 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) long.
When the buds are ready, they are oval or spindle-shaped. They are 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. The top part of the bud, called the operculum, is shaped like a cone and is 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) long.
The narrow-leaved red mallee flowers between January and March. Its flowers are a creamy white color. After the flowers, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a barrel or a short sphere. It is about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) long and 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) wide. The parts that open to release seeds are almost flat with the edge of the fruit.
Naming and Discovery
The Eucalyptus latens was officially named in 1998. It was named by a scientist named Ian Brooker. He found a sample of this tree near a place called North Bannister.
The name latens comes from a Latin word. It means "hidden" or "secret." This name was chosen because the first group of these trees found was "hidden" in the jarrah forest. The description of the tree was published in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Where Does It Grow?
The narrow-leaved red mallee is found in woodlands. It grows near towns like North Bannister, Highbury, and Kulin. It also grows near Boyagin Rock. These areas are in the southern part of the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.
This tree prefers to grow in sandy-clay soils. These soils are often found over a hard, reddish layer of rock called laterite.
Is It Endangered?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife checks on plants and animals. They have looked at the narrow-leaved red mallee. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
