New England peppermint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New England peppermint |
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| Eucalyptus nova-anglica growing near Armidale | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
nova-anglica
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus cinerea var. nova-anglica (H.Deane & Maiden) Maiden |
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The Eucalyptus nova-anglica, often called the New England peppermint or black peppermint, is a type of tree found only in eastern Australia. It's usually a small to medium-sized tree. This eucalyptus has thick, rough bark on its trunk and bigger branches. Its adult leaves are shaped like a spear, and its flower buds grow in groups of seven. When it blooms, it has white flowers, and its fruit looks like a half-sphere or a cone.
What the New England Peppermint Looks Like
The New England peppermint tree usually grows up to 15 mm (0.59 in) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it's damaged by fire or drought.
Its bark is thick, rough, and has cracks, feeling like tough fibers. This bark covers the trunk and the larger branches.
When the tree is young, or when new shoots grow from a cut stump (called coppice regrowth), its leaves are different. These young leaves are a dull, bluish-green color (this is what glaucous means). They don't have stalks and are shaped like hearts or are almost round. They grow in pairs, opposite each other on the stem, and are about 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long and 35–65 mm (1.4–2.6 in) wide.
As the tree gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are green to bluish-green on both sides and are shaped like a spear. These leaves are 90–190 mm (3.5–7.5 in) long and 12–25 mm (0.47–0.98 in) wide. Each adult leaf has a stalk, called a petiole, which is 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem (this spot is called an axil). Each group of buds is on a short stalk, called a peduncle, about 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long. Each individual bud also has a tiny stalk, called a pedicel, which is 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long.
When the buds are ready to open, they are oval or diamond-shaped, about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) wide. They have a cone-shaped cap, called an operculum, which protects the flower inside.
The New England peppermint blooms between February and May, and its flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or a half-sphere, about 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) wide. They grow on a short pedicel, up to 2 mm (0.079 in) long.
How it Got its Name
The Eucalyptus nova-anglica was first officially described in 1899. Two scientists, Henry Deane and Joseph Maiden, wrote about it in a scientific paper called Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.
The second part of its scientific name, nova-anglica, refers to where this tree is found. Nova-anglica means "New England" in Latin, pointing to the New England region of New South Wales in Australia.
Where it Lives
The New England peppermint grows in woodlands and in cold, swampy flat areas. You can find it from Stanthorpe in southeastern Queensland down to near Nowendoc in New South Wales.
See also
In Spanish: Menta de Nueva Inglaterra para niños
