Narrow-leaved stringybark Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Narrow-leaved stringybark

The bark of a Narrow-leaved stringybark tree
Scientific classification
Genus:	Eucalyptus
Species:	tenella

The Narrow-leaved stringybark (scientific name: Eucalyptus tenella) is a special type of tree found only in New South Wales, Australia. It's a small to medium-sized tree. You can recognize it by its stringy bark, long, thin leaves, and white flowers that grow in groups. It also produces round, woody fruits.

What it Looks Like
- Leaves
- Flowers and Fruit
How it was Named
Where it Lives
Images for kids
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What it Looks Like

The Narrow-leaved stringybark tree usually grows up to 15 m (49 ft) (about 50 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow after a fire.

Its bark is thick and stringy, with deep grooves. It's usually grey on the outside, with a reddish-brown color underneath.

Leaves

Young plants have shiny green leaves. These leaves are paler on the bottom. They are long and thin, like a narrow spear, measuring 25–70 mm (0.98–2.76 in) (1-2.7 inches) long and 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) (0.1-0.6 inches) wide.

Adult leaves are also long and thin, sometimes slightly curved. They are 50–150 mm (2.0–5.9 in) (2-6 inches) long and 5–20 mm (0.20–0.79 in) (0.2-0.8 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stalk called a petiole, which is 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) (0.1-0.6 inches) long.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of the Narrow-leaved stringybark are white. They grow in groups of seven to fifteen. These groups appear where the leaves meet the stem, which is called a leaf axil.

The flower buds grow on a small stalk called a peduncle, which is 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) (0.1-0.4 inches) long. Some buds are directly attached (called sessile), while others have tiny stalks up to 3 mm (0.12 in) long.

Mature buds are oval or spindle-shaped. They are 4–60 mm (0.16–2.36 in) (0.1-2.4 inches) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) (0.08-0.12 inches) wide. Each bud has a cap called an operculum, which can be cone-shaped or rounded.

This tree flowers from September to March. After flowering, it produces woody, round or half-round fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) (0.2-0.24 inches) long and 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) (0.2-0.28 inches) wide. The parts that open to release seeds are near the rim.

How it was Named

The Eucalyptus tenella was first officially described in 1991. Two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. They used samples that Johnson collected near Capertee in 1968.

The second part of its scientific name, tenella, comes from a Latin word. Tenellus means "somewhat delicate". This name was chosen because of the tree's small leaves.

Where it Lives

The Narrow-leaved stringybark grows in dry woodlands. It prefers shallow soils. You can find these trees in New South Wales, Australia, in an area between Rylstone and Nowra.