Kimberley white gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kimberley white gum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
houseana
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The Kimberley white gum, also known as Eucalyptus houseana, is a special type of medium-sized tree. It grows only in the Kimberley area of Western Australia. This tree has smooth bark, long, thin leaves, and white flowers. Its fruit looks like a small cone or half-sphere.
What it Looks Like
The Kimberley white gum is a tree that usually grows to be about 8 to 20 meters tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged.
The bark on this tree is very smooth. When it's new, it's a pale pink color. Later, it turns white or grey and can feel powdery.
Young plants and new shoots have stems that are somewhat square. Their leaves grow directly from the stem in opposite pairs. These young leaves are egg-shaped, about 80 to 130 millimeters long and 50 to 90 millimeters wide.
Adult leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are a dull green color on both sides and are shaped like a spear. These leaves are about 90 to 190 millimeters long and 20 to 36 millimeters wide. Each adult leaf has a small stalk called a petiole.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds is on a short stalk, about 2 to 5 millimeters long. The individual buds are either directly attached or have a very short stalk.
Mature buds are oval or round. They are about 4 to 6 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide. Each bud has a rounded cap called an operculum.
The Kimberley white gum flowers between July and November. Its flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or half-sphere. They are about 2 to 5 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide. The parts that open to release seeds are near the rim of the fruit.
How it Got its Name
The name Eucalyptus houseana first appeared in a newspaper called the Western Mail in 1906. An article by William Vincent Fitzgerald mentioned this tree. He said it was one of the tallest trees in the tropics, sometimes reaching 80 feet (about 24 meters). He also wrote about where it grew and mentioned "Dr. F. M. House."
The first official description of the species was published in 1916. This was done by Joseph Maiden, who gave credit to Fitzgerald for the name. The description was printed in the Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales.
The tree was named houseana to honor Dr. Frederick Maurice House. He was a doctor and an explorer.
Where it Grows
The Kimberley white gum is found in the western part of the Kimberley region. It likes to grow along flat areas near rivers that can be swampy. You can find it in forests and woodlands. It prefers to grow in sandy soil that has been carried there by water, which is called alluvium.
