Scarlet gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scarlet gum, gnaingar |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
phoenicea
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The Eucalyptus phoenicea, often called the scarlet gum (or sometimes gnaingar or ngainggar), is a beautiful tree found in Northern Australia. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes other well-known trees like the eucalyptus.
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What Does the Scarlet Gum Look Like?
This tree usually grows to be about 4 to 12 meters (around 13 to 39 feet) tall. It often has a single main trunk. The bark on most of the trunk and bigger branches is rough and feels soft and flaky. It can be a yellow-grey or orange-brown color. Sometimes, the bark on larger branches is smooth and can be white or pinkish-grey.
The leaves of the scarlet gum are dull green to grey-green. They are shaped like a spearhead (this is called lanceolate) and are about 6.5 to 14 centimeters (2.5 to 5.5 inches) long. They are also about 0.9 to 4.5 centimeters (0.35 to 1.7 inches) wide. The leaves connect to the branch with a small stalk called a petiole.
One of the most exciting things about the scarlet gum is its flowers! It usually blooms between February and November. The flowers are a bright orange color. They grow in groups of seven or more buds. These buds are bright green and shaped like a club or a pear. They are about 0.8 to 1.9 centimeters (0.3 to 0.7 inches) long.
After the flowers, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cylinder or an urn and have slight ribs along their sides. They are about 1.9 to 3 centimeters (0.7 to 1.1 inches) long. Inside these fruits are small, dark grey to black seeds, shaped like tiny saucers, about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long.
Where Did Its Name Come From?
The scarlet gum was first officially described by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller in 1859. He wrote about it in a science journal.
The special part of its scientific name, phoenicea, comes from the mythical bird called the phoenix. This legendary bird is known for its brilliant scarlet (bright red) feathers. The name was chosen because the tree's flowers have a similar bright, fiery color, especially the parts called anther filaments.
Where Does the Scarlet Gum Grow?
The scarlet gum is a special tree because it is endemic to northern Australia. This means it only grows naturally in that specific area. You can find it in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
In Western Australia, it's found in scattered spots in the Kimberley region. It likes to grow in sandy soils among sandstone hills. Its presence continues across the Top End of the Northern Territory, from places like Timber Creek up to Batchelor. There's even a small group of them far away, north-west of Cooktown in North Queensland.
How to Grow the Scarlet Gum
If you wanted to grow a scarlet gum, you could buy its seeds or small plants. The seeds are quite easy to grow! This tree prefers sandy soil that drains water well, and it loves to be in full sunlight.
Once the tree is established, it can handle dry weather quite well. However, it doesn't like frost, which can damage it. The scarlet gum starts to flower when it's only about two years old. It then flowers for a long time, attracting many different kinds of birds and insects to its bright orange blooms.
