Gympie messmate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gympie messmate |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
cloeziana
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| E. cloeziana, field distribution | |
The Gympie messmate (scientific name: Eucalyptus cloeziana) is a type of tree found only in Queensland, Australia. It's also sometimes called "dead finish." This tree has rough, flaky bark on its main trunk and smooth bark higher up on its branches. Its leaves are shaped like spears and are much lighter on the underside. It produces white flowers and round, woody fruits.
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About the Gympie Messmate
The Gympie messmate is a tall tree. In forests, it can grow up to 55 meters (about 180 feet) high. In woodlands, it is usually smaller, growing between 10 to 25 meters (about 33 to 82 feet) tall. The bark on its trunk is thick, rough, and can be brownish or grey. The bark on its branches is smooth and can be grey or orange.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Gympie messmate plants have egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 4.5 to 10 centimeters (1.8 to 3.9 inches) long and 2 to 5 centimeters (0.8 to 2 inches) wide. They are a lighter green on their underside.
Adult leaves are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. They are about 6 to 14.5 centimeters (2.4 to 5.7 inches) long and 0.9 to 3.2 centimeters (0.4 to 1.3 inches) wide. Each leaf has a stalk, called a petiole, which is about 0.8 to 2.2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.9 inches) long. These adult leaves are a dull green and much lighter on their lower side.
The flower buds grow in groups of seven. These groups are found where a leaf joins the stem (called a leaf axil). Each group of seven buds sits on a small stalk called a peduncle, which is 0.2 to 1.3 centimeters (0.1 to 0.5 inches) long. Each individual bud also has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, about 0.1 to 0.5 centimeters (0.04 to 0.2 inches) long.
The mature buds are round or oval-shaped, about 0.4 to 0.6 centimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long. They have a cone-shaped or rounded cap called an operculum. The Gympie messmate flowers in December and January, and its flowers are white.
Fruit
After flowering, the tree produces a woody, half-round fruit. This fruit is a type of capsule, about 0.4 to 0.7 centimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) long and 0.6 to 1.1 centimeters (0.24 to 0.43 inches) wide.
How it Got its Name
The Gympie messmate was first officially described in 1878 by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it after a specimen (a sample of the plant) was collected near Rockingham Bay by John Dallachy.
The second part of its scientific name, cloeziana, was chosen to honor François Stanislas Cloez. He was a person who discovered that a substance called cineole was a main part of eucalyptus oil.
Where it Grows
The Gympie messmate is found in many places across Queensland, Australia. You can find it from east of Tambo to Mundubbera and Gympie. It also grows from west of Townsville to north-west of Cooktown. There are also some scattered trees in between these areas.
This tree prefers to grow in open forests and woodlands, especially on tablelands (flat elevated areas) and slopes. It is often the most common type of tree in these areas.
See also
In Spanish: Eucalyptus cloeziana para niños
