Eucalyptus redimiculifera facts for kids

The Eucalyptus redimiculifera is a special tree. It only grows in a small part of Western Australia. This tree has smooth bark and leaves shaped like a spear. Its flowers are white and grow in groups of seven. After the flowers, it grows oval-shaped fruit.

What Does This Tree Look Like?

The Eucalyptus redimiculifera is a tree that usually grows up to 10 m (33 ft) (about 33 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if there's a fire.

Its bark is smooth and can be white, grey, or pink. It peels off in long strips, like ribbons.

Leaves and Flowers

Young Eucalyptus redimiculifera trees have broad, spear-shaped leaves. These leaves can be up to 90 mm (3.5 in) (about 3.5 inches) long and 25 mm (0.98 in) (about 1 inch) wide. They grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is up to 8 mm (0.31 in) long.

As the tree gets older, its leaves become more narrow. They are still spear-shaped, but they are 40–100 mm (1.6–3.9 in) (1.5 to 4 inches) long and 6–12 mm (0.24–0.47 in) (0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide. These adult leaves can be dull or slightly shiny. Their petioles are a bit longer, from 7–18 mm (0.28–0.71 in).

The flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem, which is called a leaf axil. Each group of buds sits on a stalk called a peduncle, which is 4–11 mm (0.16–0.43 in) long. Each individual bud also has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, also 4–11 mm (0.16–0.43 in) long.

When the buds are ready to open, they are oval-shaped. They are about 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 4 mm (0.16 in) wide. The top part of the bud, which covers the flower, is shaped like a dome. This part is called an operculum.

Fruit

After the white flowers bloom, the tree produces fruit. The fruit is a woody, oval-shaped capsule. It is about 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. Inside are the seeds. The parts that open to release the seeds stick out a bit, but they can break off easily.

How This Tree Got Its Name

The Eucalyptus redimiculifera was officially named in 2001. Two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, described it in a science journal called Telopea. They found the first samples of this tree near a town called Norseman in 1983.

The second part of its scientific name, redimiculifera, comes from Latin words. "Redimiculum" means "band" or "fetter," and "-fer" means "bearing." This name refers to how the tree's bark peels off in long strips that can look like bands around its smaller branches.

Where Does This Tree Grow?

This type of eucalypt tree grows in open woodlands. You can find many of them in scattered groups near the town of Norseman in Western Australia.