Scribbly gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scribbly gum |
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| Eucalyptus haemastoma in the Royal National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
haemastoma
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| Eucalyptus haemastoma, field distribution | |
The Scribbly Gum, officially named Eucalyptus haemastoma, is a special type of tree found only in the Sydney area of Australia. It's known for its smooth, white or silvery-grey bark. This bark often has cool, wiggly lines on it, which look like someone has "scribbled" on the tree! These unique marks are actually made by tiny insect larvae tunneling just under the bark. The Scribbly Gum also has long, curved leaves, white flowers, and cone-shaped fruits.
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What Does the Scribbly Gum Look Like?
The Scribbly Gum is a medium-sized tree. It usually grows about 12 to 15 meters (around 40 to 50 feet) tall. It has smooth bark that can be white, silvery-grey, or even yellow. This bark is famous for its insect scribbles.
Leaves and Flowers
Young Scribbly Gum plants have oval or egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 7 to 15 centimeters (3 to 6 inches) long. Adult leaves are longer and thinner, shaped like a spear or curved. They are green on both sides and grow to about 9 to 21 centimeters (3.5 to 8 inches) long. Each leaf has a small stem called a petiole.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of nine to fifteen. They are found where the leaves join the stem. Each group of buds sits on a stalk called a peduncle. The individual buds have tiny stems called pedicels. Mature buds are oval-shaped and have a cone-shaped or rounded cap called an operculum.
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Flowering and Fruit
Scribbly Gums usually flower between July and November. Their flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like a cone or half-sphere. They are about 5 to 9 millimeters long and 7 to 11 millimeters wide. These fruits are a type of capsule, which means they open to release seeds.
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How Scribbly Gums Get Their Name
The scientific name Eucalyptus haemastoma was first given to this tree in 1797 by a scientist named James Edward Smith. He wrote about it in a publication called Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.
The name haemastoma comes from two ancient Greek words: haima, which means 'blood', and stoma, which means 'mouth'. This name refers to the reddish edge around the opening of the tree's fruit. It looks a bit like a red mouth!
Where Do Scribbly Gums Grow?
This type of scribbly gum grows in woodlands. It prefers shallow, sandy soil that comes from sandstone. You can find Eucalyptus haemastoma in the Sydney region of Australia. Its range stretches between Lake Macquarie and the Royal National Park.
Related Pages
- Eucalyptus sclerophylla, another tree also known as the scribbly gum.
