Grey irongum facts for kids
The Grey Gum (scientific name: Eucalyptus punctata) is a tree found only in eastern Australia. It is a small to medium-sized tree. It has smooth, grey bark that peels off in patches. Its leaves are a favorite food for Koalas. The tree has white flowers and fruit shaped like a cup.
Quick facts for kids Grey irongum |
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| Eucalyptus punctata in Heathcote National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
punctata
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Contents
What the Grey Gum Looks Like
The Grey Gum tree can grow up to 35 meters (about 115 feet) tall. It has smooth bark that can be grey, brown, or cream-colored. This bark peels off in patches, which gives the tree a unique look.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
Young Grey Gum plants have dull green leaves. These leaves are paler on the bottom. They are shaped like an egg or a spear. Adult leaves are shiny and dark green. They are also paler underneath.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are oval-shaped. The Grey Gum flowers are white and bloom from December to March. After flowering, the tree produces woody, cup-shaped fruits. These fruits are called capsules.
Naming the Grey Gum
The Grey Gum was first officially described in 1828. A Swiss scientist named Augustin Pyramus de Candolle gave it the scientific name Eucalyptus punctata. The word punctata comes from Latin. It means "spotted." This name refers to the tiny oil glands in the leaves, which make them look dotted.
Related Gum Trees
The Grey Gum is part of a group of related trees. These are often called "large-fruited grey gums." They are all found in eastern Australia. Other trees in this group include Eucalyptus longirostrata from Queensland and Eucalyptus biturbinata from the New England region.
Where Grey Gums Grow
Grey Gums grow in eastern Australia. You can find them from near Gympie in Queensland down to Nowra in New South Wales. They usually grow in areas where sandstone and shale soils meet.
Forest Homes
These trees live in tall, open forests. They often grow alongside other well-known Australian trees. Some of their neighbors include Red Bloodwood, Spotted Gum, White Stringybark, and Blackbutt.
How Grey Gums Live and Grow
Grey Gums are very tough trees. If there's a bushfire, they can regrow from their base and branches. These trees can live for more than a hundred years!
Animals and the Grey Gum
Many animals rely on the Grey Gum. The grey-headed flying fox eats its flowers. The leaves are a main food source for the koala. Koalas eat more leaves in winter because the leaves have less nitrogen then. Some birds, like the brown-headed honeyeater, eat the sticky sap that comes from the tree's stems.
Birds like the red wattlebird and noisy friarbird also like to find food in the Grey Gum's leaves. They often prefer these trees over others in the forest.
Uses of Grey Gum Timber
The wood from the Grey Gum is very hard and strong. Because of this, it is used for building things. It's also used for railway sleepers, which are the wooden beams that support train tracks. The bark of the Grey Gum can be many different colors. This makes the tree attractive for planting in large parks or open spaces.
Gallery
- Features of the grey gum (Eucalyptus punctata)
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Adult leaves
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Buds
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Fruit
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Trunk bark
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Upper branch bark
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See also
In Spanish: Eucalipto gris para niños
