Miena cider gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
E. g. subsp. divaricata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata (McAulay & Brett) B.M.Potts
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| Synonyms | |
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The Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata, often called the Miena cider gum, is a unique tree. It grows only in Tasmania, Australia. This tree is a special type of Eucalyptus gunnii. It is known for being very tough in cold weather.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Miena cider gum is a medium-sized tree. It can grow to about 15 metres (50 feet) tall. That's as tall as a five-story building! When the tree is young, its leaves are very strong. They are round and grow in pairs. These young leaves have a waxy, blue-green color. As the tree gets older, its leaves stay a waxy blue. The seed pods, which hold the seeds, look a bit like small urns.
Naming the Miena Cider Gum
Scientists first described this tree in 1938. They gave it the name Eucalyptus divaricata. Later, in 2001, they decided it was a special kind of Eucalyptus gunnii. So, its name changed to Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata. This name is used by many plant experts today.
Where Does It Live?
This special tree only grows in certain cold, frosty areas of Tasmania. These areas are often poorly drained. This means water does not soak into the ground easily. The Miena cider gum does not grow well in sandy soils. It also avoids very wet places. It prefers specific conditions to thrive.
Amazing Uses of the Miena Cider Gum
The Miena cider gum is famous for handling cold weather very well. It can survive in places where other eucalyptus trees would freeze. This tree produces a sweet sap. This sap is similar to maple syrup. People are even thinking about growing these trees to collect this sweet sap. When the sap is collected and stored, it ferments naturally. This means it bubbles and changes. It then tastes a bit like apple cider. This is why it's called a "cider gum." Long ago, Tasmanian Aboriginal people and early stockmen drank this naturally fermented sap. They found it quite tasty and a bit intoxicating. Some say its flavor is like a sweet orange liqueur. Early settlers used to set traps for possums under these trees. Possums loved the sweet sap too! Even farm animals enjoy eating the sweet leaves of the Miena cider gum.
Why Is It Endangered?
Sadly, there are not many Miena cider gum trees left. There are only about eight small groups of these trees. They cover just a few hundred hectares in total. In 1999, only about 2,000 trees were producing seeds. The number of trees and how many are flowering has been going down since 1991. One big reason these trees are dying is due to warming weather. Over the last 20 years, the climate has changed. This has made it harder for these specialized trees to survive. Because of this, the Miena cider gum is listed as "endangered." This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under both Australian and Tasmanian laws.
