Diverse mallee facts for kids

Eucalyptus orthostemon is a special kind of mallee tree. A mallee is a small, bushy eucalyptus tree that usually has many stems growing from the ground. This particular eucalyptus grows only in the southwest part of Western Australia.

It has smooth, shiny bark that looks like copper and grey. Its adult leaves are long and thin. The flower buds are shaped like ovals or spindles and grow in groups of seven. When it flowers, you'll see creamy white blooms. After flowering, it produces fruit that looks like a cone or a cup.

What Does Eucalyptus orthostemon Look Like?

Eucalyptus orthostemon is a mallee that grows upright and spreads out. It usually reaches about 5 m (16 ft) (about 16 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This lignotuber helps the plant regrow after things like bushfires.

The bark on this tree is smooth and can be coppery, grey, or even silvery. Its adult leaves are the same green color on both sides. They are long and narrow, about 30–55 mm (1.2–2.2 in) (1.2 to 2.2 inches) long and 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) (0.08 to 0.2 inches) wide. These leaves are attached to the stem by a small stalk called a petiole, which is about 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) long.

The flower buds grow in groups of five or seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds sits on a slightly flat stalk called a peduncle, which is 3–10 mm (0.12–0.39 in) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, or pedicel, about 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) long.

When the buds are ready, they are oval or spindle-shaped. They are about 9–14 mm (0.35–0.55 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide. Each bud has a horn-shaped or cone-shaped cap called an operculum. This cap is two or three times longer than the part of the flower that holds the petals, called the flower cup.

Eucalyptus orthostemon usually flowers in January and February. Its flowers are a lovely creamy white color. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruit. These fruits are shaped like cones or cups, about 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long and 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) wide. The parts that open to release seeds are near the rim of the fruit.

How Was Eucalyptus orthostemon Named?

The scientific name Eucalyptus orthostemon was first officially described in 2012. Two scientists, Dean Nicolle and Ian Brooker, gave it this name. They found the first plant they studied between the towns of Yealering and Kulin in 2000.

The second part of its scientific name, orthostemon, comes from ancient Greek words. It means "straight thread." This name refers to the stamens, which are the parts of the flower that produce pollen and look like straight threads.

Where Does Eucalyptus orthostemon Grow?

This eucalyptus tree likes to grow in salty, flat areas where saltbush plants are common. You can mostly find it between the towns of Moora and Wongan Hills in Western Australia. It grows in several different natural areas, including the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, and Mallee regions.

Is Eucalyptus orthostemon Endangered?

The good news is that Eucalyptus orthostemon is not considered to be a threatened species. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "not threatened." This means there are enough of these trees in the wild, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.