Eucalyptus microschema facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus microschema |
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| Conservation status | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
microschema
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The Eucalyptus microschema is a special type of small, bushy tree or shrub. It's often called a "mallee." This plant only grows in a small part of Western Australia, near a town called Newdegate. It has smooth, shiny grey bark and long, thin leaves. Its flowers are white, and its fruit looks like a tiny barrel.
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What Does Eucalyptus microschema Look Like?
The Eucalyptus microschema is a shrubby mallee. This means it's a type of eucalyptus that grows as a bush with many stems from the ground. It usually grows to be about 1.2 to 3 meters tall. It also has a special woody swelling underground called a lignotuber. This helps the plant regrow after a fire.
Bark and Leaves
This mallee has smooth, silvery grey bark. You can find this bark on both its main trunk and its branches. Its adult leaves are a dull green color on both sides. They are long and thin, like a line. These leaves are about 55 to 110 millimeters long and 5 to 10 millimeters wide. They usually stand upright on the plant.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the Eucalyptus microschema grow in groups. You'll find nine or eleven flower buds together. These buds sit on a short stem called a peduncle, which is about 4 to 12 millimeters long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stem, called a pedicel, which is up to 3 millimeters long.
When the buds are ready, they are shaped like a spindle. They are about 7 to 10 millimeters long. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum. This cap protects the flower inside. The flowers are white or creamy white. They usually bloom between July and September. After flowering, the plant produces a woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a short barrel and is about 4 to 7 millimeters long.
How Eucalyptus microschema Got Its Name
The Eucalyptus microschema was first officially described in 1991. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Stephen Hopper, gave it its name. They wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. They found the first samples of this plant southeast of Newdegate.
The second part of its name, microschema, comes from ancient Greek words. It means "small form." This name was chosen because this mallee is a smaller type of eucalyptus.
Where Does Eucalyptus microschema Live?
This special eucalyptus mainly grows in areas with low shrubs. It can be found in scattered groups. You can see it to the east and southeast of Newdegate. It also grows towards a place called Lake King.
Protecting Eucalyptus microschema
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like the Eucalyptus microschema. They have classified it as "Priority Three."
This means that we don't know a lot about this plant yet. It's only found in a few places. However, it's not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. Scientists want to learn more about it to make sure it stays safe for the future.
