Queensland western white gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland white gum |
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| A Queensland white gum tree in the ANBG | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
argophloia
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The Eucalyptus argophloia, also known as the Queensland white gum, is a special tree found only in a small part of Queensland, Australia. People also call it the scrub gum or Chinchilla white gum. This tree has smooth, white bark that changes color over time. It has long, narrow leaves, round flower buds, white flowers, and small, cup-shaped fruits.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Queensland white gum is a tall tree, usually growing between 18 to 30 meters (about 60 to 100 feet) high. Its bark is mostly white, but it often has patches of grey and brown. The bark peels off in long strips, like ribbons.
Young trees and new shoots have narrow, lance-shaped leaves that grow in pairs. These leaves are about 4.5 to 9 cm (1.8 to 3.5 inches) long. Adult leaves are also lance-shaped, but they are larger, about 6.5 to 14 cm (2.5 to 5.5 inches) long. Both sides of the adult leaves are shiny green.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are oval or round, about 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long. When the tree flowers in May and June, it produces beautiful white flowers. After flowering, it grows small, woody fruits that look like a cup or half-sphere. These fruits are about 3 to 5 mm (0.12 to 0.2 inches) long.
How It Got Its Name
The Eucalyptus argophloia was first officially described in 1934 by a scientist named William Blakely. He wrote about it in his book, A key to the Eucalypts. The tree he studied came from an area near Burncluith, which is north of Chinchilla.
The name argophloia comes from Greek words. "Argo" means "white" or "shining," and "phloia" means "bark." So, the name perfectly describes the tree's shiny, white bark!
Where It Lives
The Queensland white gum has a very small home range. It is only found in a specific area northeast of Chinchilla in Queensland. It likes to grow in flat areas where the soil is brown or black clay.
This tree often grows alongside other trees like brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) or Eucalyptus microcarpa. Scientists are still trying to find out exactly how many of these trees exist.
Protecting This Tree
The Queensland white gum is considered "vulnerable." This means it's at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. Both the Australian and Queensland governments have laws to help keep it safe.
The biggest danger to this tree is when its habitat is destroyed. This happens when land is cleared for farming or other uses, and when animals graze too much in the areas where the trees grow. Protecting these areas is important to help the Queensland white gum survive.
Uses of the Wood
The wood from the Queensland white gum is a deep red color. It is known for being very strong, hard, and long-lasting. Because of these qualities, it's a good choice for different uses.
This tree is also part of a special project in New Zealand called the Dryland Forestry Initiative. This project aims to improve certain tree species for growing in drier areas.
