Norseman gimlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norseman gimlet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
jimberlanica
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The Norseman gimlet, also known as Eucalyptus jimberlanica, is a special type of tree or "mallet." It grows only in a small part of Western Australia, in the Goldfields-Esperance region. This tree has smooth, brownish bark. Its adult leaves are shaped like spears, and its flower buds grow in groups of seven. The fruits of the Norseman gimlet look like cones or cups.
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About the Norseman Gimlet Tree
The Norseman gimlet is a type of tree called a mallet. It usually grows to be about 4 to 10 meters (13 to 33 feet) tall. This tree does not have a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. A lignotuber helps some plants regrow after a fire.
The bark on the trunk and branches is smooth and shiny. It can be dark brown or even copper-colored. The adult leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the stem. They are glossy green on both sides. These leaves are narrow and shaped like a spear, about 4.5 to 9 centimeters (1.8 to 3.5 inches) long. They are about 0.5 to 1.8 centimeters (0.2 to 0.7 inches) wide. Each leaf tapers down to a stalk called a petiole, which can be up to 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds of the Norseman gimlet grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. These buds sit on a thick, flat stalk called a peduncle, which is 2 to 9 millimeters (0.08 to 0.35 inches) long. Each individual bud has a very short stalk, called a pedicel, only 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) long.
When the buds are ready, they are oval or mostly round. They measure about 7 to 10 millimeters (0.28 to 0.39 inches) long and 6 to 8 millimeters (0.24 to 0.31 inches) wide. The top part of the bud, called the operculum, is shaped like half a sphere. It is about the same length as the base of the flower, which is called the floral cup.
The fruit of this tree is a woody capsule. It is mostly sessile, meaning it sits directly on the stem without a stalk. The fruit is shaped like a cone or a cup. It is 7 to 9 millimeters (0.28 to 0.35 inches) long and 6 to 8 millimeters (0.24 to 0.31 inches) wide. The parts that open to release the seeds are called valves. These valves are below the rim of the fruit.
Gimlet Eucalypts
The Norseman gimlet is one of nine types of "gimlet" trees in the Eucalyptus family. Some scientists think it might be a mix, or a hybrid, between two other eucalyptus species: E. terebra and E. ravida.
How it Was Named
The scientific name Eucalyptus jimberlanica was first officially described in 1991. This description was made by two botanists, Lawrence Johnson and Kenneth Hill. They published their findings in a science journal called Telopea.
The first example specimen of this tree, called the type specimen, was collected in 1983. It was found on Jimberlana Hill, which is northeast of Norseman. Hill, Johnson, and another botanist named Donald Frederick Blaxell collected it.
Where the Norseman Gimlet Lives
The Norseman gimlet is found in a small area of Western Australia. It grows near Norseman in the Goldfields-Esperance region. You can find it on the edges of valleys, where it grows in a type of soil called loamy soil. Loamy soil is a good mix of sand, silt, and clay.
Protecting the Norseman Gimlet
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given the Norseman gimlet a special classification. It is listed as "Priority One" flora. This means that the tree is known to exist in only a few places. These locations are potentially at risk, so it is very important to protect this unique tree.]
