Eucalyptus ultima facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus ultima |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
ultima
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The Eucalyptus ultima is a special type of mallee tree. It grows only in a small part of Western Australia, in a region called Gascoyne. This tree has smooth bark, long, narrow leaves, and white flowers that grow in groups. Its fruit looks like a small, round cup.
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What is Eucalyptus ultima?
The Eucalyptus ultima is a mallee, which means it's a type of eucalypt that grows with many stems from the ground, like a bush, instead of one main trunk. It usually grows to be about 2.5–7 m (8 ft 2 in – 23 ft 0 in) tall. This plant also has a special woody lump underground called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires or damage.
Its Appearance
The bark of the Eucalyptus ultima is usually smooth. It can be grey or have a pinkish color. Sometimes, near the bottom of the tree, the bark can be rough and stringy.
Its adult leaves are green on both sides. They are long and narrow, like a spear, measuring about 55–105 mm (2.2–4.1 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) wide. They narrow down to a small stem called a petiole, which is about 3–10 mm (0.12–0.39 in) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds grow in groups of nine to fifteen. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds grows on a short stalk, about 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) long. The individual buds are oval-shaped, about 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long and 3 mm (0.12 in) wide. They have a pointy or horn-shaped cap called an operculum. This cap is longer than the base of the flower.
Eucalyptus ultima flowers bloom from April to August. Its flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a short sphere or a cup, about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide. They have small parts that stick out, but these are delicate and break easily.
How it Got its Name
Eucalyptus ultima was officially described in 1999. Two scientists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, gave it its name. They wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea.
The name ultima comes from the Latin word ultimus. This word means "farthest" or "most distant." The scientists chose this name because this eucalypt was found in a very distant location compared to its relatives.
Where Eucalyptus ultima Lives
This mallee tree is only found in one specific place: the Cape Range National Park in Western Australia. It likes to grow on rocky hills. It grows in thin, rocky soil that sits on top of limestone.
Conservation Status
The good news is that the Eucalyptus ultima is not considered to be in danger. The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "not threatened." This means there are enough of these trees, and they are not at risk of disappearing.
