Ribbon gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ribbon gum |
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| Eucalyptus nobilis near Armidale | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
nobilis
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The Ribbon Gum, also known as Eucalyptus nobilis or Giant White Gum, is a type of tree. It grows in northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland, Australia. This tree has a long, straight trunk. Its bark is smooth and greyish. It peels off in long strips, like ribbons. The adult leaves are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. Its flowers are white and grow in groups of seven. The fruit looks like a small cup.
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What Does Ribbon Gum Look Like?
The Ribbon Gum is a tall tree. It can grow to be about 50 to 70 meters (164 to 230 feet) high. It has a long, straight trunk. It also has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow after a fire.
Its bark is smooth and white or light grey. It peels off in long, thin strips, which is why it's called "ribbon gum."
Young plants and new shoots have glossy green leaves. These leaves are about 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 inches) long. They are also about 14 to 65 mm (0.5 to 2.5 inches) wide. They grow in pairs directly opposite each other on the stem.
Adult leaves are glossy green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are about 85 to 210 mm (3 to 8 inches) long. They are also about 10 to 30 mm (0.4 to 1.2 inches) wide. Each leaf narrows down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 10 to 27 mm (0.4 to 1.1 inches) long.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem, called the axil. Each group of buds sits on a short stalk, or peduncle, about 6 to 12 mm (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stalk, or pedicel, about 5 mm (0.2 inches) long.
The mature buds are oval or spindle-shaped. They are about 4 to 7 mm (0.16 to 0.28 inches) long and 3 to 5 mm (0.12 to 0.20 inches) wide. They have a cone-shaped or rounded cap called an operculum.
Ribbon Gums mostly flower from February to May. Their flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces fruit. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped or half-sphere-shaped capsule. It is about 3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 inches) long and 4 to 9 mm (0.16 to 0.35 inches) wide. The parts that release the seeds stick out strongly from the fruit.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Eucalyptus nobilis was officially described in 1990. This was done by two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill. They published their findings in a science journal called Telopea. They studied samples of the tree that Johnson collected near Nowendoc in 1984.
The second part of its scientific name, nobilis, comes from a Latin word. It means "noble" or "excellent." This name was chosen because the tree is very tall and grows straight, making it look impressive.
Where Does Ribbon Gum Grow?
Ribbon Gum trees grow in tall forests. They prefer deep, rich soils. You can find them in the mountain ranges. Their habitat stretches from the southern Darling Downs in Queensland. It goes south to the ranges of the Northern Tablelands and Liverpool Range in New South Wales.
Images for kids
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Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana in Bradshaw Bushland Reserve
See also
In Spanish: Eucalipto de las cintas para niños
