Goldfields white mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goldfields white mallee |
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| Eucalyptus cylindriflora near Hyden | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
cylindriflora
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The Goldfields white mallee, also known as Eucalyptus cylindriflora, is a special type of mallee tree. It only grows naturally in the southwest part of Western Australia. This unique plant has smooth bark and shiny green leaves. Its flowers are a lovely creamy white, and they grow in groups of seven. After flowering, it produces interesting cylindrical or cup-shaped fruits.
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What is the Goldfields White Mallee?
The Goldfields white mallee is a type of Eucalyptus tree. It usually grows as a small tree or a large shrub. It can reach a height of about 1.5 to 6 meters (around 5 to 20 feet). This plant has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
Appearance of the White Mallee
The bark of the white mallee is very smooth. It can be white or a light grey color.
Leaves of the Mallee
Young plants have leaves that are long and narrow, or shaped like a spear. They are shiny green on top and a bit dull underneath. These young leaves are about 4 to 8 centimeters (1.5 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) wide.
As the plant gets older, its adult leaves become long and thin. They are shiny green on both sides. These adult leaves are usually 4 to 7.5 centimeters (1.5 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 0.4 to 1 centimeter (0.15 to 0.4 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stalk called a petiole.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds of the white mallee grow in groups of seven. Each group is on a thin stalk called a peduncle. This stalk can be quite long, about 0.9 to 2.7 centimeters (0.35 to 1 inch). Each individual bud also has its own small stalk, called a pedicel.
The mature flower buds are oval or cylinder-shaped. They are about 1 to 1.3 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. They also have a cone-shaped cap called an operculum.
The white mallee flowers from December to March. Its flowers are a beautiful creamy white color. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like cylinders or cups. They are about 0.6 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long.
Who Named the Goldfields White Mallee?
The Goldfields white mallee was first officially described in 1925. Two botanists, Joseph Maiden and William Blakely, gave it its scientific name. They studied a plant collected by Charles Gardner. He found it near Bendering.
The scientific name cylindriflora comes from Latin words. It means "cylinder-shaped flower." This name describes the unique shape of the plant's flower buds.
Where Does the White Mallee Grow?
The white mallee is found in the southwest parts of Western Australia. It grows in areas like the Goldfields-Esperance region and the Wheatbelt. You can also find it in the Great Southern region.
It prefers to grow in sandy soils or clay-sandy soils. These soils often have lateritic gravel mixed in. It is typically found in mallee shrubland areas.
Is the White Mallee Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified the Goldfields white mallee as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
