Scarp white gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scarp white gum |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
glomericassis
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The Eucalyptus glomericassis, often called the scarp white gum, is a special type of small tree. It is found only in the Northern Territory of Australia. This tree has smooth bark, leaves shaped like a spear, and pretty white flowers.
Contents
What the Scarp White Gum Looks Like
The scarp white gum is a tree that usually grows up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if there's a fire.
Its bark is smooth and can be white or grey. It peels off to show new bark that looks pale pink or light orange.
The adult leaves are shiny green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are about 12 to 25 millimeters (about 0.5 to 1 inch) long. They are also 10 to 20 millimeters (about 0.4 to 0.8 inches) wide. Each leaf has a stem called a petiole that is 10 to 30 millimeters (about 0.4 to 1.2 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the scarp white gum grow in groups of seven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem, which is called the axil. Each group of flowers grows on a stalk called a peduncle, which is 8 to 16 millimeters (about 0.3 to 0.6 inches) long. The individual flower buds are oval-shaped. They are about 7 to 9 millimeters long and 5 to 6 millimeters wide. Each bud has a cap called an operculum that is shaped like a cone or is rounded.
Scarp white gum trees have been seen flowering in January. Their flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a cone and is about 4 to 6 millimeters long. It is also 6 to 9 millimeters wide. The parts that hold the seeds stick out from the edge of the fruit.
How the Scarp White Gum Got Its Name
The scarp white gum, Eucalyptus glomericassis, was first officially described in the year 2000. Two botanists, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill, wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea.
The first sample of this tree was collected in 1977 by Clyde Dunlop. He found it in a place called Deaf Adder Gorge. The second part of its scientific name, glomericassis, comes from Latin words. Glomus means "a ball" and cassis means "a helmet." This name describes the shape of the flower bud's cap, which looks like a helmet or a ball.
Where the Scarp White Gum Lives
The scarp white gum grows in specific areas of the Northern Territory. You can find it near the edges of the sandstone plateau. It often grows close to water, like streams or rivers. These areas include Kakadu National Park and the western part of Arnhem Land.
