Eucalyptus tholiformis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus tholiformis |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
tholiformis
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The Eucalyptus tholiformis is a special kind of tree. It only grows in a small part of Queensland, Australia. This tree has rough, deeply grooved bark on its trunk and big branches. Its adult leaves look like a spearhead. It also has white flowers that grow from buds in groups of seven. After flowering, it produces fruit shaped like a cup or a funnel.
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What Does This Tree Look Like?
The Eucalyptus tholiformis is a tree that usually grows up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like by a bushfire.
Bark and Leaves
The tree's trunk and larger branches have thick, dark grey to black bark with deep grooves. Sometimes, the thinner branches have smooth, white bark. Young plants and new shoots (called coppice regrowth) have dull bluish-grey leaves. These leaves are about 40 to 70 millimeters long and 22 to 40 millimeters wide.
Adult leaves are a dull bluish-green color on both sides. They are shaped like a spear, measuring 75 to 140 millimeters long and 12 to 30 millimeters wide. Each leaf narrows down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 12 to 20 millimeters long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds usually grow in groups of seven at the ends of the branches. They are on a branching stalk called a peduncle, which is 5 to 15 millimeters long. Some buds are directly attached (called sessile), while others have small stalks (called pedicels) up to 5 millimeters long.
When the buds are ready, they are oval to cylinder-shaped. They are about 5 to 8 millimeters long and 2 to 5 millimeters wide. Each bud has a rounded cap called an operculum. This tree flowers between May and October, and its flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped or funnel-shaped capsule. It is 5 to 7 millimeters long and 4 to 7 millimeters wide. The parts that open to release seeds (called valves) stick out above the rim of the fruit.
How It Got Its Name
Eucalyptus tholiformis was first officially described in 1994. Two scientists, Anthony Bean and Ian Brooker, wrote about it in a science journal called Austrobaileya. They studied samples that Bean collected in 1986 from Carnarvon National Park.
The second part of its name, tholiformis, comes from a Latin word. It means "dome-shaped." This refers to the dome-like shape of the disc around the fruit.
Where Does This Tree Grow?
This special eucalyptus tree grows in Queensland, Australia. You can find it on shallow soil on sandstone hills. It lives within Carnarvon National Park, stretching from west of Alpha to east of Tambo.
Is This Tree Protected?
The Queensland Government has a law called the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Under this law, Eucalyptus tholiformis is classified as "least concern." This means that the tree is not currently at risk of disappearing. It is considered to be a common and widespread species.
