Willing's tree facts for kids
Grevillea dimidiata, also known as the caustic bush or willings tree, is a special small tree or shrub that only grows in Australia. It's a unique plant found in the northern parts of the country.
Quick facts for kids Willing's tree |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grevillea
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| Species: |
dimidiata
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Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The caustic bush usually has a single main stem. It can grow to be about 2 to 6 meters (around 6 to 20 feet) tall. Some very tall ones can even reach up to 12 meters (about 39 feet)!
Its leaves are simple and long. They can be between 9 to 22 centimeters (about 3.5 to 8.5 inches) in length. The leaves are also fairly wide, measuring 3 to 5.5 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) across.
Flowers and Fruit
From May to October, which is during the cooler months in Australia, this plant grows beautiful white-cream colored flowers. These flowers grow in clusters at the end of its branches.
After the flowers, the plant produces interesting fruit. These fruits are shaped like a lens and can be smooth or a bit wrinkly. They are about 16 to 23 millimeters (around 0.6 to 0.9 inches) long.
Life Cycle of the Caustic Bush
The caustic bush starts making seeds when it is about 4 or 5 years old. These seeds help new plants grow.
This plant typically lives for 11 to 20 years. It's very tough and well-suited to its environment, especially when it comes to fires.
Surviving Bushfires
Bushfires are common in Australia. The caustic bush has an amazing way to survive them! After a fire, adult plants can grow new shoots directly from their trunk or branches. This is called epicormic resprouting. It means the plant can bounce back and regrow even after a big fire.
Where Does It Grow?
The caustic bush is native to two main areas in Australia. You can find it in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It also grows in the Northern Territory.
This plant likes to live in certain types of places. It's often found in scrubland, which is an area with many small trees and bushes. It also grows in grasslands. You'll usually see it in rocky or sandy soils, and sometimes even on rocky outcrops (large rocks sticking out of the ground).
