Small-leaved brown stringybark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Small-leaved brown stringybark |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
aurifodina
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Eucalyptus aurifodina, often called the small-leaved brown stringybark, is a special and rare small tree. It only grows in the goldfields area of Victoria, Australia. This tree has rough, stringy bark on its trunk and branches. Its adult leaves are shiny green and shaped like an oval or an egg. When it flowers, you'll see white blooms, and later, it produces fruit shaped like a half-sphere.
What Does It Look Like?
The small-leaved brown stringybark is a tree that can grow up to 12 m (40 ft) tall. It often has several trunks. Its bark is rough, grey, and stringy, covering both the main trunk and its branches.
- Young Leaves: When the tree is young, its leaves are shaped like eggs. They are shiny green on top and a bit whitish underneath. These leaves are about 30–55 mm (1.2–2.2 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) wide. Each leaf has a short stem, called a petiole, which can be up to 4–11 mm (0.16–0.43 in) long.
- Adult Leaves: As the tree grows, its leaves become mostly oval or egg-shaped. They are longer, about 40–80 mm (1.6–3.1 in) long and 15–30 mm (0.6–1 in) wide. Their petioles are also longer, up to 12–20 mm (0.47–0.79 in). Both sides of the adult leaves are usually the same color.
The tree's flower buds grow in groups of seven to eleven. They appear where the leaves meet the stem, which is called the axil. Each group of buds is on a thin stalk, called a peduncle, about 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long. Each individual bud has its own tiny stem, called a pedicel, about 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long.
When the buds are ready to open, they are oval or slightly club-shaped. They have a cap, called an operculum, which is about 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.14 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. This tree blooms in early autumn, and its flowers are white. After flowering, it produces woody fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and wide, sitting on a pedicel about 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) long.
Where Did Its Name Come From?
The Eucalyptus aurifodina was officially described for the first time in 2012. This description was made by a person named Kevin James Rule. He published his findings in a science journal called Muelleria, after finding a sample of the tree near Maldon.
The second part of its scientific name, aurifodina, comes from a Latin word, aurifer. This word means "gold-bearing". This name was chosen because the tree grows in areas known for gold, like the goldfields of Victoria.
Where Does It Live?
The small-leaved brown stringybark is a rare tree. It likes to grow in dry woodlands, especially in rocky or stony areas. You can find it in Victoria, Australia, in the region between the towns of Castlemaine and Avoca.
