Eucalyptus virginea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus virginea |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
virginea
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Eucalyptus virginea is a special kind of tree that grows only in a small part of Western Australia, near the south coast. It has smooth, light-colored bark and long, thin leaves. When it blooms, it has pretty white flowers, and its fruit looks like a small, woody cup.
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What Does This Tree Look Like?
Eucalyptus virginea is a tall tree, usually growing up to 20 meters (about 65 feet) high. It has smooth, pale grey bark, which sometimes has interesting insect marks on it.
- Leaves: The adult leaves are thin and shiny green. They are paler on the underside and shaped like a narrow spear. They are about 70 to 100 millimeters (2.7 to 3.9 inches) long and 13 to 25 millimeters (0.5 to 1 inch) wide.
- Flowers: The flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are round or diamond-shaped. This tree blooms from December or January all the way to July, and its flowers are white.
- Fruit: After flowering, the tree produces woody, cup-shaped fruits. These fruits are about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.15 to 0.23 inches) long and 7 to 12 millimeters (0.27 to 0.47 inches) wide.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Eucalyptus virginea was officially named in 2004 by two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Greg Wardell-Johnson. They wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The name virginea comes from a Latin word meaning "pure white." This refers to the tree's pale, white-ish bark. It also honors a forester named Barney White.
Where Does This Tree Grow?
This eucalyptus tree grows in a specific area in Western Australia. You can find it in the Mount Lindesay area, which is north of a town called Denmark.
It likes to grow in places where two different types of forests meet. One type of forest has tall karri trees (Eucalyptus diversicolor), and the other has drier areas with marri (Corymbia calophylla) and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) trees.
Is This Tree Protected?
Yes, Eucalyptus virginea is considered a "Priority Four" species by the Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife.
This means that the tree is rare or almost threatened. It needs special attention to make sure its population stays healthy and safe in the wild.
