Grey mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey mallee |
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| Eucalyptus morrisii near Girilambone | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
morrisii
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The Grey Mallee (scientific name: Eucalyptus morrisii) is a special type of mallee or small, bushy tree. It only grows in western New South Wales, Australia. This tree has rough, stringy bark on its lower trunk. Higher up, the bark is smooth and greyish. Its leaves are shaped like a spear. The Grey Mallee has white flowers that grow in groups of three. Its fruit looks like a small cone or half-sphere.
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What Does the Grey Mallee Look Like?
The Grey Mallee is usually a mallee, which means it has many stems growing from the ground. Sometimes, it can be a small, straggly tree. It typically grows to be about 4 to 10 meters (13 to 33 feet) tall. This plant has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps it regrow after fires.
Bark and Leaves
The bark on the lower part of the trunk is rough and stringy. It can be dark grey and sometimes looks pressed together. Higher up, the bark is smooth and greyish.
Young Grey Mallee plants have long, narrow leaves. These leaves are dull green and can be 60 to 150 millimeters (2.4 to 5.9 inches) long. They are 5 to 20 millimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches) wide. Adult leaves are shaped like a spear. They are a dull, greyish-green color on both sides. These leaves are usually 55 to 145 millimeters (2.2 to 5.7 inches) long and 8 to 21 millimeters (0.3 to 0.8 inches) wide.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds grow in groups of three. They are found where the leaves join the stem. Each group of buds sits on a stalk about 5 to 13 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. The individual buds are oval-shaped and are yellow or cream-colored. They are about 8 to 9 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long.
The Grey Mallee flowers in December. Its flowers are white. After flowering, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or half-sphere. They are 7 to 9 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and 6 to 9 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
How the Grey Mallee Got Its Name
The Grey Mallee was first described in 1900. A botanist named Richard Thomas Baker gave it its scientific name, Eucalyptus morrisii. He wrote about it in a scientific paper. The first samples of this plant were collected near a place called Girilambone.
The name morrisii was chosen to honor R. N. Morris. He was the Superintendent of Technical Education in New South Wales at that time. He helped with research on the Eucalyptus plant group.
Where the Grey Mallee Lives
The Grey Mallee is found in central-western New South Wales, Australia. It usually grows in low mallee areas. These are places where many mallee trees grow together. It prefers shallow soil on stony hills. You can find it in the region between the towns of Bourke, Nyngan, and Cobar.
