Stiff-leaved mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stiff-leaved mallee |
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| Eucalyptus rigidula near Laverton | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
rigidula
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus angusta Maiden nom. illeg. |
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The Stiff-leaved Mallee (scientific name: Eucalyptus rigidula) is a special type of tree. It's a mallee, which means it's a small, bushy eucalypt. This plant grows only in Western Australia, making it endemic to that area. It has smooth bark and long, narrow leaves. Its flowers are creamy white and grow in groups. After flowering, it produces interesting barrel-shaped fruits.
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What the Stiff-leaved Mallee Looks Like
The Eucalyptus rigidula is a mallee plant. It usually grows to be about 1.5 to 5 meters tall. This plant has a special woody base called a lignotuber. Its bark is smooth and has a white-grey-brown color. The bark often peels off in long strips near the bottom of the plant.
When the plant is young, its leaves are shiny green. They are narrow and shaped like a spear or an oval. These young leaves are about 50 to 90 millimeters long. Adult leaves are also narrow, but they can be a bit longer, up to 100 millimeters. They have a short stem called a petiole.
The flowers grow in groups of seven or nine. These groups appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of flowers sits on a short stalk. The flower buds themselves are oval or spindle-shaped. They are about 8 to 12 millimeters long. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum.
The Stiff-leaved Mallee blooms from December to April. Its flowers are a lovely creamy white color. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a barrel or a half-sphere. They are about 4 to 8 millimeters long.
Naming the Stiff-leaved Mallee
The scientific name Eucalyptus rigidula was first officially given in 1928. This was done by a botanist named Joseph Maiden. He wrote about it in his book, A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus.
The first plant specimen used to describe this species was collected by Maiden himself. He found it in 1909 near a place called Comet Vale. The second part of its scientific name, rigidula, comes from a Latin word. It means "somewhat rigid," which refers to the plant's rather stiff leaves.
Where the Stiff-leaved Mallee Grows
The Stiff-leaved Mallee is found in specific areas of Western Australia. It grows in areas with heath and shrubland. You can find it between the lower Murchison River and Grass Patch. It also grows on the western edge of the Great Victoria Desert. This plant prefers to grow in yellow or red sandy soils.
How the Stiff-leaved Mallee is Protected
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified this type of eucalypt as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
