Eucalyptus praetermissa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus praetermissa |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
praetermissa
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Eucalyptus praetermissa is a special type of eucalypt tree that grows only in a small part of Western Australia. It's found along the state's south coast. This tree has smooth bark and leaves shaped like a spear. Its flowers are creamy white or pale yellow. They grow in groups of up to fifteen. After flowering, it produces fruit that looks like a small barrel.
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What it Looks Like
Eucalyptus praetermissa is a mallet tree. This means it's a type of eucalypt that grows from a single stem. It usually reaches a height of 4–12 m (13–39 ft). Unlike some other eucalypts, it does not have a special woody base called a lignotuber. A lignotuber helps a plant regrow after a fire.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Eucalyptus praetermissa plants have egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 40–70 mm (1.6–2.8 in) long and 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) wide. They have a small stalk, called a petiole, that connects them to the stem.
As the tree grows, its adult leaves change. They are arranged one after another along the stem. Both sides of the leaves are a dull green color. They are shaped like a spear, measuring 50–100 mm (2.0–3.9 in) long and 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) wide. The leaves narrow down to a petiole that is 8–17 mm (0.31–0.67 in) long.
The flower buds grow in groups of up to fifteen. They appear where the leaves meet the stem, which is called a leaf axil. These buds are on a stem called a peduncle, which is 10–18 mm (0.39–0.71 in) long. Each individual bud has a tiny stalk, or pedicel, about 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long.
Mature buds are shaped like a spindle, which is wider in the middle and tapers at the ends. They are 11–15 mm (0.43–0.59 in) long and 2.5–4 mm (0.098–0.157 in) wide. The top part of the bud, called the operculum, is long and cone-shaped. It's about twice as long as the base of the flower, known as the floral cup.
Flowering and Fruit
Eucalyptus praetermissa flowers from November to January. Its flowers are a beautiful creamy white to pale yellow color.
After the flowers bloom, they turn into fruit. The fruit is a woody capsule. It is shaped like a cylinder or a barrel. These capsules are 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. Inside, the parts that release the seeds are almost level with the rim of the capsule.
How it Got its Name
Eucalyptus praetermissa was officially described in 1991. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Stephen Hopper, gave it its name. They studied a sample of the tree that Brooker collected in 1984. This sample was found on the north side of Beaufort Inlet.
The second part of its scientific name, praetermissa, comes from a Latin word. It means "overlooked," "omitted," or "neglected." This name was chosen because people knew about this tree for a while, but it hadn't been officially recognized or studied much.
Where it Lives
This special eucalypt tree is only found in one known place. This is the same area where the first sample was collected. It grows in low woodlands, which are forests with shorter trees. The soil there is sandy, and it sits on top of a hard, reddish layer called laterite.
Protecting the Species
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of rare plants. They have classified this mallet as "Priority Four". This means it is a rare plant or one that is almost threatened. It needs to be watched and protected to make sure it continues to grow in the wild.
