Kingsmill's mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kingsmill's mallee |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Eucalyptus kingsmillii in the Collier Range National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
|
| Species: |
kingsmillii
|
Eucalyptus kingsmillii is a special type of tree or large bush called a mallee. It grows naturally in the dry, central parts of Western Australia and South Australia. This plant is known for its beautiful flowers and interesting fruits.
Contents
What Does Kingsmill's Mallee Look Like?
This mallee usually grows to be about 1.5 to 8 metres (5 to 26 feet) tall. It has rough, stringy bark on its main trunk. Higher up, the bark is smooth.
Flowers and Fruits
Kingsmill's mallee produces pretty flowers between April and October. These flowers can be white-cream to red-pink in colour. The flower buds and fruits are quite large. They have ribs or "wings" and hang in groups of three.
The plant can look different depending on where it grows. Some are small and bushy, while others are taller and less regular in shape. Its flowers are very eye-catching. They often start as pink-red buds that open into creamy-yellow flowers. Each flower is about 3 centimetres (1 inch) wide.
Leaves
The leaves of this mallee are a dull, grey-green colour. They are thick and look the same on both sides. The leaves are usually long and narrow, like a spear, and get thinner towards the bottom.
Growing in Gardens
Kingsmill's mallee is a popular plant for gardens. It can handle dry conditions very well, which means it doesn't need much water. However, it can sometimes get tiny insect pests called scale.
How Kingsmill's Mallee Got Its Name
The first official description of Eucalyptus kingsmillii was made in 1929. A botanist named Joseph Maiden wrote about it. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. He included it in his big book about the Eucalyptus genus.
The name kingsmillii honours Walter Kingsmill. He was a politician in Western Australia. A politician is someone who works in government to make decisions for the public. Walter Kingsmill was very interested in forests and trees. He collected the first sample of this mallee in 1918. He found it near Leonora, close to the Mount Keith mining area.
Where Does Kingsmill's Mallee Grow?
You can find Eucalyptus kingsmillii in the dry, inland parts of Western Australia. It grows in regions like the Pilbara, Mid West, and Goldfields-Esperance. It likes rocky hills and sandy plains.
It often grows in thin, sandy soils. These soils are usually found over sandstone or ironstone rocks. This plant's natural home also reaches into the north-western part of South Australia.
