Eucalyptus woollsiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus woollsiana |
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| Eucalyptus woollsiana near Gilgandra | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
woollsiana
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| Synonyms | |
The Eucalyptus woollsiana is a type of tree that grows only in eastern Australia. This means it is endemic to that area. It has rough, stringy bark on its main trunk. Higher up, the bark is smooth. Its adult leaves are shaped like a spear. The tree's flower buds grow in groups of five or seven. When they bloom, the flowers are white. After flowering, it produces cup-shaped fruits.
What Does it Look Like?
Eucalyptus woollsiana is a tree that can grow quite tall, usually up to 25 meters (about 82 feet). It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like from a bushfire.
The bark on the main trunk is rough, grey, and feels like fibers. Higher up on the branches, the bark is smooth and can be grey or yellowish.
Young plants and new shoots that grow from the base (called coppice regrowth) have dull green leaves. These leaves are long and narrow, about 85 to 130 millimeters (3.3 to 5.1 inches) long and 7 to 25 millimeters (0.3 to 1 inch) wide.
The adult leaves are shiny green and shaped like a narrow spear. They are about 90 to 130 millimeters (3.5 to 5.1 inches) long and 8 to 20 millimeters (0.3 to 0.8 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stalk, called a petiole, which is about 7 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of five or seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem, or at the ends of the branches. Each group of buds sits on a small stalk called a peduncle, which is 2 to 7 millimeters (0.08 to 0.3 inches) long. The individual buds also have tiny stalks, called pedicels, about 1.5 to 5 millimeters (0.06 to 0.2 inches) long.
When the buds are ready to open, they are oval or spindle-shaped. They are about 3.5 to 5.5 millimeters (0.14 to 0.22 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap, called an operculum, which is about the same length as the base of the flower.
The flowers are white. After the flowers bloom, they turn into woody, cup-shaped or oval fruits. These fruits are about 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) long and 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) wide.
How Did it Get its Name?
The Eucalyptus woollsiana was officially described for the first time in 1901. This description was made by a scientist named Richard Thomas Baker. He published his findings in a scientific journal called Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.
Where Does it Grow?
This type of eucalypt tree likes to grow on flat land. It often grows alongside other trees like brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) and belah (Casuarina cristata). These trees typically grow in heavy clay soils.
You can find Eucalyptus woollsiana across a wide area in inland Queensland. Its range extends south from a town called Injune. It also grows on the western slopes and plains of New South Wales. In the southern parts of its range, it sometimes mixes with another type of eucalypt called E. microcarpa.
Is it Endangered?
The Queensland Government has looked at the conservation status of Eucalyptus woollsiana. Under their Nature Conservation Act 1992, this species is classified as "least concern." This means that the tree is not currently considered to be at risk of becoming extinct.
