Eucalyptus nudicaulis facts for kids

Eucalyptus nudicaulis is a special type of eucalyptus tree that grows only in a small part of north-west Queensland, Australia. It's known for its smooth, grey bark that looks a bit patchy. This tree has long, narrow leaves, white flowers, and fruit shaped like a cup.

What Does This Eucalyptus Look Like?

Eucalyptus nudicaulis is a mallee, which means it's a type of eucalyptus that usually grows with many stems from the ground. It can reach a height of about 2 to 6 meters (about 6 to 20 feet). This plant also has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.

Its bark is smooth and has a mix of grey and silvery colors, often looking a bit mottled or patchy. Young plants and new shoots have stems that are somewhat square. Their leaves grow one after another along the stem. These young leaves are about 70 to 100 mm long and 10 to 20 mm wide. They also have a small stalk, called a petiole, connecting them to the stem.

The leaves on older, adult trees are a dull, grayish-green color on both sides. They are narrow and shaped like a spear, measuring about 70 to 180 mm long and 10 to 20 mm wide. These leaves also have a petiole, which is about 8 to 25 mm long.

The flowers of Eucalyptus nudicaulis are white. They grow in groups of seven. These groups are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of flowers grows on a short, unbranched stalk called a peduncle, which is about 5 to 10 mm long. The individual flower buds also have tiny stalks, called pedicels, that are 1 to 4 mm long.

When the flower buds are ready to open, they are oval-shaped. They are about 12 to 15 mm long and 6 mm wide. Each bud has a cap, called an operculum, which can be shaped like a cone or a horn. This cap falls off when the flower blooms. This eucalyptus usually flowers between February and March.

After the flowers, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a woody capsule that looks like a cup or half a sphere. It's about 6 to 9 mm long and wide. The parts that release the seeds, called valves, stick out above the rim of the fruit.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The scientific name for this plant, Eucalyptus nudicaulis, was first officially described in 1991. It was named by a scientist named Anthony Bean. The description was published in a science journal called Austrobaileya. The first plant specimen used to describe it was found about 25 km north of Mount Isa.

The second part of its name, nudicaulis, comes from two Latin words. "Nudus" means "naked" or "bare." "Caulis" means "stem." This name was chosen because the tree has smooth bark, making its stem look "bare."

Where Does This Eucalyptus Grow?

This special eucalyptus tree is found only in a small area in north-west Queensland, Australia. This is why it is called endemic to that region. It grows on rocky ridges made of quartzite, in rocky valleys, and on steep hillsides. You can find it near the towns of Mount Isa and Cloncurry.

Is This Eucalyptus in Danger?

The Queensland Government has a list of plants and animals that need protection. Under their Nature Conservation Act 1992, Eucalyptus nudicaulis is classified as "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if its situation doesn't improve.

The main reason it's vulnerable is that it's only found in about six small groups of plants. This makes it very important to protect these areas so this unique eucalyptus can continue to grow.