Manna gum facts for kids
The Manna Gum (also known as Eucalyptus viminalis) is a special tree from Australia. People also call it White Gum or Ribbon Gum. It's a type of eucalypt, which is a group of trees and shrubs mostly found in Australia.
Quick facts for kids Manna gum |
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| Eucalyptus viminalis | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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viminalis
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| E. viminalis, field distribution | |
Contents
What is Manna Gum?
The Manna Gum is a tall, straight tree. It can grow up to 40 meters high, which is about as tall as a 13-story building! The lower part of its trunk and bigger branches have rough bark.
Higher up on the tree, the bark is different. It peels off in long, thin strips that look like ribbons. These "ribbons" can hang from the branches or fall to the ground. This is why it's sometimes called the "Ribbon Gum."
One of the biggest Manna Gum trees ever found is in New Zealand. It's in a place called Woodbourne in Marlborough. This huge tree has a trunk that is over 3 meters wide!
Where Does Manna Gum Grow?
Manna Gums grow in the cooler parts of Australia. They are an important food source for many Australian animals.
The leaves of the Manna Gum are a favorite meal for Koalas. The sap inside the tree is also very special. It's sweet, with about 5-15% sugar! This sugary sap is a vital food for tree-dwelling marsupials. Animals like the Yellow-bellied Glider and the Sugar Glider love to eat it.
Different Kinds of Manna Gum
There are three main types, or subspecies, of Manna Gum:
- E. viminalis subsp. viminalis: You can find this type in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia.
- E. viminalis subsp. cygnetensis: This one grows in western Victoria and southeastern South Australia.
- E. viminalis subsp. pryoriana: This subspecies is found in southern Victoria.
Manna Gums are quite tough! They can even grow in very cold temperatures, as low as -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit). This means they can be planted in places like Europe, where winters can be chilly.
What is Manna Gum Wood Used For?
The wood from the Manna Gum tree is usually a pale pink or brownish-pink color. It often has cool light grey streaks running through it.
Because of its pretty pink colors and how easy it is to work with, Manna Gum wood is often used to make furniture. However, it's not very strong or durable. This means it's not usually used for big building structures. But sometimes, it is used for parts of house frames.
Images for kids
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Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana in Bradshaw Bushland Reserve
See also
In Spanish: Eucalipto de las cintas para niños
