Square-fruited mallee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Square-fruited mallee |
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| Foliage and flowers of E.tetraptera | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
tetraptera
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| E. tetraptera, field distribution | |
| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus acutangula Turcz. |
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The Eucalyptus tetraptera, often called the square-fruited mallee or four-winged mallee, is a special type of eucalyptus tree. It only grows in one place: the south coast of Western Australia.
This unique plant has smooth bark and thick, long leaves. Its flowers are red or pink. The most interesting part is its fruit, which is square-shaped and has clear wings.
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What Does It Look Like?
The square-fruited mallee is a small, bushy tree. It usually grows to be about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) tall. It also spreads out to a similar width.
It often has one main trunk that branches out low to the ground. The bark is smooth and can be grey or whitish-grey.
Leaves and Flowers
Young plants have egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long. Adult leaves are thicker and longer, reaching up to 25 centimeters (10 inches). They are a shiny green color on both sides.
The flower buds grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. These buds are cubic, meaning they are shaped like a cube. They have wide, curved wings. The buds can be quite large, up to 6.5 centimeters (2.5 inches) long.
This plant flowers from late winter to mid-summer. Its flowers are a beautiful red or pink color.
Fruit
After flowering, the plant produces its unique fruit. The fruit is woody and red. It is shaped like an oblong capsule and has four wings on each corner. This is why it's called the "square-fruited" or "four-winged" mallee!
Where Does It Grow?
The square-fruited mallee only grows in specific areas of southern Western Australia. You can find it on sandy coastal plains. It also grows near granite rocks.
Its range stretches from the Stirling Ranges north of Albany to Israelite Bay. It prefers white or grey sandy soils.
Is It Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says this eucalypt is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
How People Use It
The Eucalyptus tetraptera is one of the most unusual eucalypts. Its large, red buds and fruit are very striking. Because of its unique look, it's a popular plant for gardens.
It grows well in sunny, dry places. It can grow slower in cooler areas. This plant is tough! It can handle smog and frost. You can even grow it in large pots.
If the plant gets too straggly as it ages, you can cut it back. This helps it grow new, fresh shoots. You can buy this plant as young seedlings or as seeds. Like most eucalypts, its seeds grow easily.
