Eucalyptus rugulata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus rugulata |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
rugulata
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Eucalyptus rugulata is a special kind of eucalypt tree or a large shrub called a mallet. It grows only in a small part of Western Australia. This plant is easy to spot because of its smooth bark, long, narrow leaves, and creamy white flowers. It also has interesting ribbed flower buds and round fruit.
What it Looks Like
Eucalyptus rugulata is a mallet or a tree. It usually grows to be about 12 to 15 meters (around 40 to 50 feet) tall. Unlike some other eucalypts, it does not have a lignotuber. A lignotuber is a woody swelling at the base of the plant that helps it regrow after a fire.
This eucalypt has smooth, grey bark that peels off in strips. Its adult leaves are shiny and dark green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear, about 75 to 110 millimeters (3 to 4.3 inches) long and 13 to 23 millimeters (0.5 to 0.9 inches) wide. The leaves narrow down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 13 to 25 millimeters (0.5 to 1 inch) 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 stalk called a peduncle, which is 10 to 31 millimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches) long. Each individual bud has its own small stalk, or pedicel, about 7 to 14 millimeters (0.3 to 0.6 inches) long.
When the buds are ready, they are long and oval-shaped. They measure about 15 to 22 millimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) long and 7 to 9 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The base of the bud, called the floral cup, has ribs. The top part, which is like a cap, is smooth and cone-shaped. This cap is called an operculum.
Eucalyptus rugulata has been seen flowering in November. Its flowers are a lovely creamy white color. After flowering, it produces a woody, round fruit. This fruit is a capsule with parts that stick out strongly, but they are quite delicate.
How it Got its Name
Eucalyptus rugulata was first officially described in 2002. This was done by a scientist named Dean Nicolle. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. The plant material he studied was collected near Varley in 2000.
The second part of its name, rugulata, comes from a Latin word, rugula. This word means "wrinkle" or "corrugation." It refers to the fruit of the plant, which looks quite wrinkled when it's dry. It also hints at the rough, rugged places where this special eucalypt grows.
Where it Lives
This mallet grows on gravelly hills. You can often find it growing in groups, almost like a forest of only Eucalyptus rugulata trees. It lives in the area between South Ironcap and Hatter Hill. This region is located east of Varley and north-east of Lake King in Western Australia.
Protecting this Plant
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like Eucalyptus rugulata. They have classified this eucalypt as "Priority Four."
What does "Priority Four" mean? It means that this plant is rare or nearly threatened. It's important to protect these plants so they don't disappear from the wild.
