Pyrenees gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pyrenees gum |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
pyrenea
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The Pyrenees gum (Eucalyptus pyrenea) is a special type of tree. It only grows in Victoria, Australia. This tree has smooth, grey bark on its upper parts. Near the bottom of its trunk, the bark is rough and stringy. Its adult leaves are long and curved. It grows white flowers in groups of seven, and its fruit looks like a small cup.
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What the Pyrenees Gum Looks Like
The Pyrenees gum is a tall, slender tree. It usually grows up to 18 m (59 ft) (about 59 feet) high. It also has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like by a bushfire.
The bark on the upper part of the tree is smooth and grey. But closer to the ground, the bark is rough, stringy, or flaky.
Leaves of the Pyrenees Gum
Young Pyrenees gum plants have dull, bluish-green leaves. These leaves are slightly lighter on their underside. They are shaped like an egg or an oval, about 60–130 mm (2.4–5.1 in) (2.4-5.1 inches) long and 50–90 mm (2.0–3.5 in) (2.0-3.5 inches) wide.
As the tree gets older, its adult leaves become shiny green on both sides. They are long and curved, measuring about 120–250 mm (4.7–9.8 in) (4.7-9.8 inches) long and 20–34 mm (0.79–1.34 in) (0.8-1.3 inches) wide. Each leaf has a stem called a petiole, which is about 18–29 mm (0.71–1.14 in) (0.7-1.1 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The Pyrenees gum's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem (called the axil). These buds are on a flat, unbranched stalk called a peduncle, which is about 10–16 mm (0.39–0.63 in) (0.4-0.6 inches) long. Each individual bud has its own small stem, or pedicel, about 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) (0.2-0.3 inches) long.
When the buds are ready, they are oval to cylinder-shaped. They are about 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) (0.2-0.3 inches) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) (0.1-0.2 inches) wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum. This cap is about the same length and width as the base of the flower, known as the floral cup.
The Pyrenees gum flowers in autumn, and its flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces a woody, cup-shaped fruit. This fruit is a type of seed pod called a capsule. It is about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) (0.2 inches) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) (0.2 inches) wide. The parts that open to release the seeds (called valves) are below the rim of the cup.
How the Pyrenees Gum Was Named
The Pyrenees gum was officially described in 2004. This means it was formally recognized and given its scientific name, Eucalyptus pyrenea. The person who described it was Kevin James Rule. He found the plant material on Mount Avoca in the Pyrenees Ranges in 2001.
Where the Pyrenees Gum Lives
The Pyrenees gum is only found in one specific place. This is the same area where it was first discovered and named. It grows on dry, rocky slopes where the soil is not very deep.
