Wubin mallee facts for kids

Eucalyptus wubinensis is a special type of plant called a mallee. It only grows in Western Australia, which means it's found nowhere else in the world! This plant has smooth, grey bark. Its grown-up leaves look like the tip of a spear. Its flower buds usually grow in groups of seven. When the flowers are done, they turn into fruits that can be shaped like a cup, a barrel, or a cylinder.

What is Eucalyptus wubinensis?

Eucalyptus wubinensis is a mallee, which means it's a type of eucalyptus that often has many stems growing from the ground. It usually grows up to 8 m (26 ft) (about 26 feet) tall. This plant has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow if there's a fire or damage.

Bark and Leaves

The bark of this eucalyptus is smooth. It can be white or grey, sometimes with bronze or brown streaks. The bark peels off in long strips, like ribbons.

When the plant is young, its leaves are round or egg-shaped. They have a glaucous look, which means they are covered in a pale, waxy coating, making them look slightly blue-green. These young leaves can be up to 70 mm (2.8 in) long and 45 mm (1.8 in) wide.

As the plant gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves are green on both sides. They are narrow and shaped like a spear, about 70–100 mm (2.8–3.9 in) long and 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) wide. Each leaf narrows down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 10–22 mm (0.39–0.87 in) long.

Flowers and Fruit

The flower buds of Eucalyptus wubinensis grow in groups of seven, sometimes nine. They appear where the leaf meets the stem, a spot called the axil. These groups of buds are on a short stalk called a peduncle, which is 4–15 mm (0.16–0.59 in) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, a pedicel, about 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) long.

When the buds are ready to open, they are oval-shaped. They are about 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide. The top part of the bud, which covers the flower, is called an operculum and is rounded. This plant has been seen flowering in March.

After the flowers bloom, they turn into woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules. They can be shaped like a cup, a barrel, or a cylinder. They are about 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long and 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) wide. The parts that open to release the seeds are almost level with the rim of the fruit.

How it was Named

Eucalyptus wubinensis was officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, gave it its scientific name. They found the first samples of this plant near a place called Wubin in 1983. The second part of its name, wubinensis, tells us that it was found in the Wubin area.

Where it Grows

This mallee plant grows in a type of environment called mallee shrubland. This means it lives in areas with many mallee trees and bushes on sandy plains. You can find Eucalyptus wubinensis in Western Australia, from east of Wubin, stretching to Ballidu, and further east to Kulja.