McKie's stringybark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKie's stringybark |
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| Eucalyptus mckieana growing between Guyra and Inverell | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
mckieana
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The McKie's stringybark (scientific name: Eucalyptus mckieana) is a special type of tree. It grows only in New South Wales, Australia. This tree gets its name from its rough, stringy bark. You can find this bark on its trunk and branches.
It has long, thin adult leaves. Its flower buds grow in groups of seven to eleven. When the flowers bloom, they are white. After flowering, the tree produces fruit that looks like a small cup or barrel.
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What Does McKie's Stringybark Look Like?
McKie's stringybark trees usually grow quite tall. They can reach heights of about 25 to 30 meters (82 to 98 feet). These trees often have a straight trunk. Their bark is reddish-brown and feels stringy or fibrous. This bark covers the trunk and goes all the way to the ends of the branches.
Young Plants and Leaves
Young McKie's stringybark plants have stems that are somewhat square. Their first leaves are egg-shaped. As they grow, these leaves become narrow and lance-shaped. They are about 30 to 70 millimeters (1.2 to 2.8 inches) long. These young leaves sit on a short stalk called a petiole.
Adult leaves are shiny green on both sides. They are shaped like a lance or are slightly curved. These leaves are about 60 to 115 millimeters (2.4 to 4.5 inches) long. Their petiole is about 5 to 13 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven, nine, or eleven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of buds is on a small stalk called a peduncle, about 5 to 10 millimeters long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, about 2 to 4 millimeters long.
Mature buds are oval or spindle-shaped. They are about 5 to 6 millimeters long and 3 millimeters wide. They have a cone-shaped cap called an operculum. McKie's stringybark flowers are white. They have been seen blooming in April and July.
The fruit of this tree is a woody capsule. It can be cup-shaped, barrel-shaped, or like half a sphere. The fruit is about 4 to 6 millimeters long and 5 to 7 millimeters wide.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The McKie's stringybark was first officially described in 1930. This was done by a person named William Blakely. He wrote about it in a scientific paper. The tree's specific name, mckieana, honors a man named Ernest Norman McKie.
Ernest Norman McKie was a minister in Guyra, New South Wales. He knew a lot about the eucalyptus trees in the New England area. His knowledge helped scientists understand this and other types of eucalyptus trees.
Where Does McKie's Stringybark Grow?
McKie's stringybark trees grow in dry forests. They are found on low hills and gentle slopes. These areas are on the drier western side of the New England Tableland. You can find them between the towns of Torrington and Bendemeer.
Why Is McKie's Stringybark Special?
This eucalyptus tree is considered "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of disappearing in the future. Both the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government protect it. They have laws like the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to help.
Some groups of these trees are safe in national parks and nature reserves. However, most of them grow on private land. This makes them more vulnerable.
Threats to the Tree
The main dangers to McKie's stringybark include:
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for farming or building.
- Timber harvesting: Cutting down trees for wood.
- Firewood collection: Gathering wood for fires.
- Road works: Building or repairing roads.
These activities can harm the trees and their homes. Protecting these trees helps keep our natural world healthy.
