Square-fruited mallet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Square-fruited mallet |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
prolixa
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The Eucalyptus prolixa, often called the square-fruited mallet, is a special type of tree. It's a kind of mallet, which means it's a small, upright tree. This tree is only found in the southwest part of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, shiny green leaves, and unique flowers that are creamy white. Its fruit is shaped like an urn and is square when you look at it from the side!
Contents
What the Square-Fruited Mallet Looks Like
The square-fruited mallet is a straight, tall tree. It usually grows to be about 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 feet) tall. This tree does not form a lignotuber, which is a woody lump at the base of some eucalyptus trees. Its bark is smooth and can be grey or tan in color.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
The adult leaves of this tree are shiny green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear, or narrow and spear-shaped. These leaves are usually 60 to 95 millimeters (2.4 to 3.7 inches) long. They are also 7 to 14 millimeters (0.3 to 0.6 inches) wide. The leaves narrow down to a stalk called a petiole, which is 6 to 18 millimeters (0.2 to 0.7 inches) long.
The flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem, in a spot called a leaf axil. These buds grow on a stem called a peduncle, which is 5 to 11 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long. Each individual bud has its own small stalk, or pedicel, about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long.
When the buds are ready, they are oblong and square-shaped. They are 11 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long and 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum. The tree mainly flowers from September to December. Its flowers are a lovely creamy white color.
After flowering, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a narrow, urn-shaped capsule. It is 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long and 4 to 7 millimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) wide. Just like its name suggests, the fruit is square when you look at it from the side! The parts that open to release seeds are tucked inside the rim of the fruit.
How the Square-Fruited Mallet Got Its Name
The Eucalyptus prolixa was officially described in the year 2000. This was done by a scientist named Dean Nicolle. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The first samples of the tree were collected near the Daniell railway siding. This place is north of Salmon Gums.
The scientific name prolixa comes from a Latin word. Prolixus means "stretched out." This name refers to the long, stretched-out shape of the tree's fruit. It also describes the tree's slender, tall shape.
Where the Square-Fruited Mallet Grows
You can find the square-fruited mallet in Western Australia. It grows in the area between Kondinin, Coolgardie, Norseman, and Salmon Gums. It likes to grow on flat land and gently rolling hills.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at this eucalypt. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these trees in the wild, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
