Mount Compass swamp gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Compass swamp gum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
paludicola
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The Eucalyptus paludicola, often called Mount Compass swamp gum or marsh gum, is a special type of tree. It is found only in the south-east of South Australia. This tree has smooth bark and long, spear-shaped leaves. Its flower buds usually grow in groups of seven, and the flowers are a lovely creamy white color. The fruits are shaped like a cylinder, cone, or bell. You can only find this unique gum tree on the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.
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What the Mount Compass Swamp Gum Looks Like
The Mount Compass swamp gum is usually a small tree, growing up to 12 m (39 ft) tall. Sometimes, it grows as a "mallee," which means it has many stems coming from the ground, reaching about 5 m (16 ft) high. It has a special woody lump at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow after a fire.
Young plants have dull green leaves that are egg-shaped. These leaves are about 40–100 mm (1.6–3.9 in) long and 28–70 mm (1.1–2.8 in) wide. The older, adult leaves are green on both sides and shaped like a spear or slightly curved. They are 80–210 mm (3.1–8.3 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) wide. These leaves have a stem, called a petiole, that is 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) long.
The flower buds grow in the leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem). They usually appear in groups of seven, but sometimes in groups of three. These buds sit on a small stalk, called a peduncle, which is 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, called a pedicel, about 1–5 mm (0.039–0.197 in) long.
When the buds are ready, they are club-shaped, about 10–13 mm (0.39–0.51 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) wide. They have a cap, called an operculum, which can be conical, rounded, or even beaked. This tree mainly flowers in spring, and its flowers are creamy white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are like capsules, 8–13 mm (0.31–0.51 in) long and 9–15 mm (0.35–0.59 in) wide. They can be cylindrical, conical, or bell-shaped.
Naming the Mount Compass Swamp Gum
How it Got its Name
The Mount Compass swamp gum was officially named Eucalyptus paludicola in 1995. A scientist named Dean Nicolle described it in a science journal called Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. He had collected samples of the tree near Mount Compass in 1992.
The second part of its scientific name, paludicola, comes from a Latin word. It means "swamp-dwelling." This name perfectly describes where this eucalypt likes to live – in swampy areas!
Where the Mount Compass Swamp Gum Lives
Habitat and Location
The Mount Compass swamp gum grows in places that are swampy during certain times of the year. Sometimes, you can find whole groups of these trees growing together. They are mostly found on the eastern and southern sides of the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. A few of these trees have also been seen on Kangaroo Island.
This tree can sometimes be confused with another type of swamp gum, Eucalyptus ovata subsp. ovata. That tree also grows in similar wet places. However, Eucalyptus ovata has thinner, shiny green adult leaves, smaller buds, and fruits that are always conical.
Protecting the Mount Compass Swamp Gum
Conservation Status
The Mount Compass swamp gum is considered an "endangered" species by the Australian Government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing from the wild. It is also listed as "vulnerable" by the Government of South Australia. This means it is facing a high risk of becoming endangered if threats continue.
The biggest dangers to this tree are:
- Swamp drainage: When swamps are drained, the tree loses its wet home.
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for buildings or farms, the trees are cut down.
- Road works: Building or fixing roads can destroy their habitat.
- Weed invasion: Weeds can grow and take over the space and resources that the gum trees need.
In 2012, there were only about 600 of these plants left in the wild. A special project has been started to help this species survive and to increase its numbers.
Using the Mount Compass Swamp Gum
Benefits and Uses
The Mount Compass swamp gum produces many beautiful flowers. Even though it's not widely grown in gardens yet, it would be a great tree for places that get very wet or waterlogged. Its flowers would attract birds that feed on nectar, helping local wildlife. It would also be useful for providing shelter and shade.
