Rib-capped mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rib-capped mallee |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
percostata
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The Rib-capped Mallee (Eucalyptus percostata) is a special type of eucalyptus tree. It's also called the Devils Peak Mallee. This tree is only found in one specific area of South Australia. It has smooth bark and leaves shaped like a spear. Its flowers are creamy white and grow in groups of seven. The fruit looks like a small cup or cone. You can only find this unique tree in a few spots in the Flinders Ranges.
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What the Rib-capped Mallee Looks Like
The Rib-capped Mallee is a type of eucalyptus tree. It usually grows to be about 3–10 m (9.8–32.8 ft) tall. This tree has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
Bark and Leaves
The bark of the Rib-capped Mallee is smooth and whitish. When it's new, it can look a bit coppery. Young plants and new shoots have wide, spear-shaped or egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 50–100 mm (2.0–3.9 in) long and 30–60 mm (1.2–2.4 in) wide.
Older, adult leaves are green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear, about 70–120 mm (2.8–4.7 in) long and 12–25 mm (0.47–0.98 in) wide. These leaves narrow down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 10–22 mm (0.39–0.87 in) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds grows on a stalk called a peduncle, which is 8–20 mm (0.31–0.79 in) long. Some buds sit directly on the stalk, while others have very short stems (up to 2 mm (0.079 in) long).
When the buds are ready, they look like pears. They are about 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) wide. The top part of the bud, called the operculum, has clear ribs and is rounded or cone-shaped.
The Rib-capped Mallee flowers from May to September. Its flowers are a lovely creamy white color. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cup or a cone. They are about 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) wide. The parts that open to release seeds are almost level with the rim of the fruit.
How the Rib-capped Mallee Got its Name
The scientific name for this tree is Eucalyptus percostata. It was first officially described in 1990. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Peter Lang, named it. They found the tree near Devils Peak in South Australia.
The second part of its name, percostata, comes from Latin. It means "conspicuously ribbed." This refers to the clearly visible ribs on the cap of the flower buds.
Where the Rib-capped Mallee Lives
The Rib-capped Mallee grows in specific areas of South Australia. You can find it in woodlands and mallee habitats. It lives in the southern part of the Flinders Ranges. This area is between the towns of Quorn and Napperby.
