Eucalyptus sicilifolia facts for kids

Eucalyptus sicilifolia is a type of small ironbark tree found only in Queensland, Australia. It has dark, rough bark on its trunk and branches, long, narrow leaves, and white flowers that grow in groups. Its fruit looks like a small cup or barrel.

What it Looks Like

This Eucalyptus tree 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 after fires or damage.

Its bark is rough and dark grey to black, like iron, covering both the trunk and branches. Young plants and new shoots (called coppice regrowth) have stems that are square-shaped. Their leaves are shaped like a spearhead, measuring 60–135 mm (2.4–5.3 in) long and 9–35 mm (0.35–1.38 in) wide.

Adult leaves are shiny green on both sides. They are narrow and curved, about 65–120 mm (2.6–4.7 in) long and 7–16 mm (0.28–0.63 in) wide. The base of the leaf narrows down to a stalk called a petiole, which is 7–17 mm (0.28–0.67 in) long.

The flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found at the ends of the branches and where the leaves meet the stem (called axils). Each group of buds sits on a small stalk called a peduncle, which is 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, a pedicel, about 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long.

When the buds are ready to open, they are oval-shaped, about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. They have a cap, called an operculum, which can be cone-shaped or rounded. This tree blooms between July and October, and its flowers are white.

After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cup or a barrel, measuring 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. They are a type of capsule, which means they open to release seeds.

How it Got its Name

Eucalyptus sicilifolia was first officially described in 1991. Two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. They found the first samples of this tree near a place called Little St Peter Hill, close to Springsure.

The second part of its scientific name, sicilifolia, comes from two Latin words: sicilis, meaning "sickle," and folium, meaning "leaf." This name was chosen because the tree's leaves are often curved, like a sickle.

Where it Lives

This special Eucalyptus tree is only found in a small area near where it was first discovered. It grows in open woodlands in rocky places.

Protecting this Tree

The Queensland Government has listed Eucalyptus sicilifolia as "vulnerable" under its Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means the tree is at risk of becoming endangered if we don't protect its habitat and population.