Sandplain red gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandplain red gum |
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| Eucalyptus ammophila growing near Aramac | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
ammophila
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The sandplain red gum (scientific name: Eucalyptus ammophila) is a special type of tree or large bush. It's called a mallee because it usually has many stems growing from the ground, like a big bush, but it can also be a small tree. This plant is found only in central and southern Queensland, Australia.
It has rough, stringy bark near its base, but higher up, its bark is smooth and can be grey, orange, or even bronze-colored. The sandplain red gum has long, pointed leaves, and its flowers grow in groups. These flowers are usually yellow or creamy white. After the flowers, it grows round, cup-shaped fruits with strong, raised parts.
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What Does It Look Like?
The sandplain red gum is usually a mallee, which means it grows up to about 6 metres (20 feet) tall with many stems. Sometimes, it can be a small tree with several trunks. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber, which helps it regrow after fires.
Bark and Leaves
The lower part of the trunk has rough, stringy bark that is greyish-brown. Higher up on the trunk and on the branches, the bark is smooth. It can be grey, orange, or even bronze, which makes it quite pretty!
Young plants and new shoots that grow after the plant has been cut back have square stems. Their leaves are wide and shaped like a spear or an egg. These young leaves are about 6 to 8.5 centimetres (2.4 to 3.3 inches) long and 2.2 to 3.6 centimetres (0.9 to 1.4 inches) wide.
As the plant gets older, its leaves change. Adult leaves are shaped like a spear, about 6.5 to 13.5 centimetres (2.6 to 5.3 inches) long and 1.5 to 2.5 centimetres (0.6 to 1 inch) wide. They are dull green on both sides, though they might look a bit bluish-green when they first appear.
Flowers and Fruit
The sandplain red gum's flowers grow in groups of seven to eleven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of flowers grows on a short stalk, about 5 to 12 millimetres (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. Each individual flower also has a tiny stalk, about 2 millimetres (0.08 inches) long.
Before they open, the flower buds are oval or spindle-shaped and are yellow or cream-colored. They are about 8 to 9 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and about 5 millimetres (0.2 inches) wide. The top part of the bud, which covers the flower, is shaped like a cone.
After the flowers bloom, they turn into fruit. The fruit is shaped like half a sphere (like half a ball) and is about 3 to 5 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long and 6 to 9 millimetres (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. It has four, sometimes five, parts that stick out strongly, called valves.
Where Does It Live?
The sandplain red gum loves to grow in sandy areas. You can find it on red or orange sandplains in central and southern Queensland. Some of the places where it grows include areas near Charleville, Yalleroi, Jericho, and in the White Mountains.
Naming the Sandplain Red Gum
The scientific name for this plant, Eucalyptus ammophila, was officially given in 1994. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Andrew Slee, described it after finding a sample in the Maranoa region of Queensland.
The second part of its scientific name, ammophila, is a Greek word. "Ammo" means "sand," and "phila" means "loving." So, ammophila literally means "sand-loving," which perfectly describes where this plant likes to grow!
