Gilbert River box facts for kids
Eucalyptus microneura, often called the Gilbert River box, is a special kind of tree. It grows only in Queensland, Australia. This tree is usually small to medium-sized. It has rough bark and pretty white flowers.
Quick facts for kids Gilbert River box |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
microneura
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Contents
What Does the Gilbert River Box Look Like?
Size and Bark
The Gilbert River box is a tree that usually grows between 10 and 18 meters tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged.
Its bark is rough and can be fissured, fibrous, or flaky. It's usually greyish-brown and covers both the trunk and branches.
Leaves
Young Gilbert River box plants and new shoots have dull, greyish or bluish leaves. These leaves are shaped like a spear.
Adult leaves are similar in color. They are also spear-shaped and measure about 50 to 110 millimeters long. They are 16 to 30 millimeters wide and grow on a leaf stalk (called a petiole) that is 13 to 30 millimeters long.
Flowers and Buds
The flowers of the Gilbert River box are white. They usually appear in January and February.
The flower buds grow in groups of seven on a branching stalk. This main stalk is called a peduncle and is 5 to 13 millimeters long. Each individual bud sits on a smaller stalk called a pedicel, which is 2 to 6 millimeters long.
Mature buds are oval-shaped. They are about 6 to 8 millimeters long and 4 millimeters wide. Each bud has a cap, called an operculum, which can be conical, rounded, or even beaked.
Fruit
After flowering, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a conical-shaped capsule. It measures about 4 to 7 millimeters long and wide. The parts that open to release seeds are near the rim of the fruit.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The scientific name for this tree is Eucalyptus microneura. It was first officially described in 1925. Two botanists, Joseph Maiden and William Blakely, wrote about it. They published their description in a science journal.
The second part of its name, microneura, comes from ancient Greek words. "Micro-" means "little" or "small." "Neuron" means "nerve." This name might refer to the small, hard-to-see veins in the tree's leaves.
Where Does This Tree Grow?
The Gilbert River box grows in forests and woodlands. It prefers to live on flat areas near rivers. You can find it on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. Its range goes as far south as Rainscourt Station, which is near Richmond.
Is the Gilbert River Box Safe?
The Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science checks on plants and animals. They have classified this eucalypt as "least concern." This means that the Gilbert River box is not currently at risk of disappearing.
