Eucalyptus limitaris facts for kids

The Eucalyptus limitaris is a special kind of tree or mallee that only grows in north-west Australia. It has rough, flaky bark on its trunk and branches. Its leaves are shaped like spears. The flower buds grow in groups of seven on a branching stalk. When the flowers are gone, they leave behind cone-shaped or cup-shaped fruits.

What Does This Eucalyptus Look Like?

Eucalyptus limitaris can be a tree or a smaller, bushy plant called a mallee. It usually grows up to 8 meters (about 26 feet) tall. It has a special woody part underground called a lignotuber. This helps the plant regrow if there's a fire.

Its bark is rough and flaky. It can be greyish or brownish. The bark has deep cracks and covers the trunk and even the thinnest branches.

The adult leaves are a dull green color. They are shaped like a spear or slightly curved. These leaves are quite long, from 90 to 250 mm (about 3.5 to 9.8 inches). They are about 14 to 35 mm (about 0.5 to 1.4 inches) wide. Each leaf narrows down to a stalk called a petiole, which is 12 to 26 mm long.

The flower buds grow on a branching stalk, called a peduncle. This stalk is found where the leaves meet the stem or at the ends of the branches. The buds usually grow in groups of three or seven. The main stalk is 6 to 23 mm long, and each bud has its own small stalk, called a pedicel, which is 2 to 9 mm long.

When the buds are ready, they are oval or pear-shaped. They are about 7 to 8 mm long and 4 mm wide. They have a pointy cap on top called an operculum.

After the flowers bloom, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like cones, barrels, or cups. They are 5 to 11 mm long and 5 to 9 mm wide. The parts that open to release seeds are usually near the rim of the fruit.

How This Eucalyptus Got Its Name

The Eucalyptus limitaris was officially described in the year 2000. Two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, first wrote about it. They found it near the Mary River.

Their description was published in a science journal called Telopea. The name limitaris comes from a Latin word, limes, limitis. This word means "a border" or "a boundary." The plant was given this name because it grows near the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Where Does It Grow?

This eucalyptus tree is endemic to north-west Australia. This means it is only found naturally in this part of the world. It often grows in open areas with shrubs and grasses, called savanna shrubland. You can often find it near creeks that only flow sometimes.

It grows close to the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory. You can find it in the area between towns like Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, and around Top Springs.

Is It Safe?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the Eucalyptus limitaris. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these trees in the wild, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing.