Northern ranges box facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern ranges box |
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| Eucalyptus sparsa near Skirmish Hill | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
sparsa
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The northern ranges box (Eucalyptus sparsa) is a special type of mallee tree. A mallee is a kind of eucalyptus that usually has many stems growing from a woody base. This tree is found only in inland Australia, close to where the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia meet. It has smooth, light-colored bark, long leaves, and white flowers.
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What Does the Northern Ranges Box Look Like?
The northern ranges box is a mallee tree that typically grows to be about 3–10 m (9.8–32.8 ft) (about 10 to 33 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged, like by a bushfire.
Its bark is usually smooth and pale grey to light brown. On older, larger trunks, you might see some rough, fibrous bark near the bottom.
The leaves of the adult tree are glossy green on both sides and shaped like a spear. They are about 70–100 mm (2.8–3.9 in) (2.7 to 3.9 inches) long and 13–25 mm (0.51–0.98 in) (0.5 to 1 inch) wide. Each leaf has a stem called a petiole, which is about 10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in) long.
The flower buds grow at the ends of the branches, usually in groups of seven. Each group of buds sits on a small stalk called a peduncle, which is about 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) long. The individual buds are oval-shaped, about 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. They have a pointy or rounded cap called an operculum.
This tree blooms with white flowers from July to September or from January to February. After flowering, it produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a short sphere or cone, about 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) wide.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The northern ranges box was first officially described in 1979 by a scientist named Clifford David Boomsma. He found it near Betty's Creek Gorge in the Everard Ranges in 1974.
The second part of its scientific name, sparsa, means "sparse" or "scattered." This refers to how spread out and uncommon it is in South Australia.
Where Does It Grow?
The northern ranges box grows in sandy areas, on plains, and on slopes where the soil drains well. You can find it near the Blackstone, Petermann, Tomkinson, and Musgrave Ranges. These areas are close to where the borders of Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory meet.
Is It Endangered?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified this mallee as "Priority Three." This means that scientists don't know a lot about it, and it's only found in a few places. However, it's not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. It's important to keep an eye on these plants to make sure they stay safe!
