Scarlet pear gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scarlet pear gum |
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| Flower of Eucalyptus stoatei | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
stoatei
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The Eucalyptus stoatei, often called the scarlet pear gum or Stoat's mallee, is a unique tree. It grows naturally in a small area along the southern coast of Western Australia. This tree is known for its interesting flowers and fruits.
About the Scarlet Pear Gum
This tree typically grows to be about 2 to 7.5 metres (7 to 25 ft) tall. It has smooth bark that can be white or a grey-brown color. The tree blooms between July and February, showing off its round clusters of yellow flowers.
The fruits, also called capsules, are ribbed and shaped like a barrel. They have a point at one end. These fruits are about 2.3 to 4 centimetres (0.9 to 1.6 in) long and 1.8 to 2 centimetres (0.7 to 0.8 in) wide. They start as a red-brown color and get darker as they get older.
The leaves of an adult scarlet pear gum are shiny, green, and thick. They are usually oval or egg-shaped.
How it Reproduces
Unlike most Eucalyptus trees, the scarlet pear gum is mostly pollinated by birds, especially honeyeaters. Insects usually pollinate other eucalyptus trees, but they can't easily reach the nectar in the scarlet pear gum's large, hanging flowers.
The parts of the flower that produce pollen, called stamens, form a kind of dome over the center of the flower. There's only a narrow path lined with pollen-producing parts that allows birds to reach the sweet nectar inside. This special design helps the birds do most of the pollination work!
The dried fruits of the scarlet pear gum are sometimes used to make potpourri, which is a mix of dried plants used to make a room smell nice.
Naming the Scarlet Pear Gum
The scarlet pear gum was first officially described by a botanist named C.A.Gardner in 1936. He wrote about it in a scientific journal. The first plant specimen used for its description was collected in 1935 by K.F. Dureau and J.E. Harrison near Kundip.
The name stoatei was chosen to honor T.N. Stoate. He was an important forest expert in Western Australia when the plant was discovered.
Where it Grows
The scarlet pear gum is found in a small area of Western Australia. This area is located between the towns of Ravensthorpe and Esperance, Western Australia. It likes to grow in soils that are sandy, clay-like, or loamy, often with gravel. Most of these trees are found east of Ravensthorpe, extending south towards Pyramid Lake.
You can often find this tree growing in areas called mallee woodland communities. These are places where many smaller, shrub-like plants grow underneath the trees.
