Gilbert River ghost gum facts for kids
The Gilbert River ghost gum (scientific name: Corymbia gilbertensis) is a special type of tree found only in tropical far north Queensland, Australia. It's also sometimes called the Gilbert River box. This tree has interesting bark that's rough at the bottom and smooth higher up. It also has a mix of different leaf types and produces creamy white flowers.
Quick facts for kids Gilbert River ghost gum |
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| Corymbia gilbertensis west of the Gilbert River | |
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Corymbia
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| Species: |
gilbertensis
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Contents
What Does This Tree Look Like?
The Gilbert River ghost gum is a tree that usually grows to be about 10 to 12 meters (around 33 to 39 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, for example, by a bushfire.
The bark on the lower part of the trunk, up to about 1 meter (3 feet) high, is rough and looks like a checkerboard pattern. It's usually grey. Higher up, the bark is smooth and can be white, coppery, or light grey. This smooth bark peels off in small, flat pieces or short strips.
Leaves
Young plants and new shoots (called coppice regrowth) have green to greyish-green leaves. These leaves are shaped like an egg or an oval. They are about 50 to 135 millimeters (2 to 5 inches) long and 25 to 53 millimeters (1 to 2 inches) wide. They grow on a short stalk called a petiole, which is 3 to 10 millimeters long.
The main leaves in the tree's crown are a mix of young, in-between, and fully grown leaves. They are the same shade of green on both sides, and they can be dull or shiny. These leaves are 50 to 130 millimeters (2 to 5 inches) long and 7 to 46 millimeters (0.3 to 1.8 inches) wide. Their petioles are 3 to 16 millimeters long.
Flowers and Fruit
The tree's flower buds grow in groups, usually seven buds together. They are found where the leaves meet the stem (this spot is called an axil). Each group of buds grows on a small stalk called a peduncle, which is 1 to 7 millimeters long. Each individual bud also has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, which is 2 to 11 millimeters long.
When the buds are ready, they are shaped like a pear. They are about 5 to 7 millimeters long and 4 to 5 millimeters wide. The top part of the bud, which covers the flower, is rounded. This top part is called an operculum.
The flowers of the Gilbert River ghost gum are creamy white. After the flowers, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a cup or a barrel. It's about 5 to 10 millimeters long and 5 to 8 millimeters wide. The parts that release the seeds (called valves) are hidden inside the fruit.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Gilbert River ghost gum was first officially described in 1928. Two botanists, Joseph Maiden and William Blakely, wrote about it in Maiden's book A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus. They first gave it the name Eucalyptus clavigera var. gilbertensis.
The first samples of this tree were collected near the Gilbert River in 1922 by a person named Cyril Tenison White. This is why the tree's scientific name, gilbertensis, refers to the Gilbert River area where it was found.
Later, in 1995, two other botanists, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson, changed its name to Corymbia gilbertensis. They decided it was different enough to be its own species within the Corymbia group.
Where Does This Tree Grow?
The Gilbert River ghost gum grows in tropical north Queensland, Australia. It is found in specific areas like the Croydon and Einasleigh River districts, and also north of Hughenden.
It prefers to grow on rocky ridges and hills. You can usually find it in woodlands, which are areas with many trees but not as dense as a forest. It grows in separate, small groups, meaning it's not found everywhere in the region, but only in these specific spots.
Is It Endangered?
The Queensland Government has a list of plants and animals and how well they are doing. Under their Nature Conservation Act 1992, the Gilbert River ghost gum is classified as being of "least concern." This means that, for now, there are enough of these trees, and they are not considered to be at risk of disappearing.
