Gippsland swamp-box facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gippsland swamp-box |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
conspicua
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The Gippsland swamp-box (Eucalyptus conspicua) is a small tree found only in southeastern Australia. It has rough, thick bark that covers its trunk and smaller branches. Its leaves can be dull bluish-green and come in different shapes as the tree grows. This tree also has white flowers and unique cone-shaped fruits.
Contents
What It Looks Like
The Gippsland swamp-box tree has rough, thick bark. This bark covers its main trunk and even its smaller branches. The top part of the tree, called the crown, looks dull bluish-green. This is because of its special leaves.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Gippsland swamp-box plants have leaves that grow in pairs. These leaves are often egg-shaped, heart-shaped, or round. They can be about 25 to 60 millimeters long and wide. They also have a powdery, bluish-white coating, which is called glaucous.
As the tree gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves are also dull bluish-green or glaucous on both sides. They are shaped like a spear or slightly curved. These leaves can be quite long, from 60 to 220 millimeters. They are attached to the branch by a small stalk called a petiole, which can be up to 23 millimeters long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. Each group is on a stalk about 5 to 14 millimeters long. The buds themselves are shaped like a spindle or a diamond. They are about 7 to 10 millimeters long and 4 to 6 millimeters wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped cap called an operculum.
Flowering and Fruit
The Gippsland swamp-box flowers between January and May. Its flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or half a sphere. They are about 4 to 9 millimeters long and 5 to 9 millimeters wide.
How It Got Its Name
The Gippsland swamp-box was officially named Eucalyptus conspicua in 1991. It was named by two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill. They published their description in a science journal called Telopea.
The second part of its scientific name, conspicua, comes from a Latin word. It means "visible" or "prominent." This name was chosen because the tree's special bluish-green color makes it stand out from other plants in its natural home.
Where It Grows
The Gippsland swamp-box grows in places with poorer soils. You can often find it on hillsides or in damp, heath-like flat areas. This tree is found in a specific region of southeastern Australia. It grows from Eden in New South Wales down to Genoa in Victoria.
