Gulbarn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gulbarn |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
citrolens
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The Melaleuca citrolens, also known as gulbarn, is a type of plant in the myrtle family. It grows naturally only in northern Queensland and the north-eastern part of the Northern Territory in Australia. This plant was once thought to be part of another species, Melaleuca acacioides, until scientists reviewed the group in 1986.
What Gulbarn Looks Like
The gulbarn is a tree that can grow up to 10 m (30 ft) (about 33 feet) tall. It has bark that looks like paper and can be grey or white.
Its leaves are arranged one after another along the stem. They are usually 24–90 mm (0.9–4 in) long (about 1 to 3.5 inches) and 2.5–9 mm (0.1–0.4 in) wide (about 0.1 to 0.35 inches). The leaves are shaped like a narrow oval or a line.
The flowers are white to cream colored. They grow in round clusters that are about 14–16 mm (0.55–0.63 in) (about 0.55 to 0.63 inches) across. Each cluster can have between one and 15 individual flowers. The small petals are about 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long and fall off as the flower opens. Inside the flower, there are five groups of stamens (the parts that make pollen). Each group has 7 to 11 stamens. Gulbarn flowers usually appear from December to February and again from April to June. After the flowers, the tree produces small, woody seed pods called capsules. These capsules are about 1.5–2.3 mm (0.06–0.09 in) long.
How Gulbarn Got Its Name
The scientific name Melaleuca citrolens was first officially described in 1986 by a scientist named Bryan Barlow. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called Brunonia.
The second part of its name, citrolens, gives a clue about the plant. It comes from the word Citrus (like oranges and lemons) and the Latin word olens, which means "smelling" or "odorous." This name probably refers to how the leaves smell, perhaps like citrus.
Where Gulbarn Grows
You can find this type of melaleuca tree in the north-eastern part of the Northern Territory and the northern part of Queensland. This includes the Cape York Peninsula. It often grows in areas with melaleuca heath, which is a type of shrubland. It commonly grows alongside other plants like Melaleuca stenostachya, Thryptomene oligandra, and Melaleuca arcana.
