Steedman's gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steedman's gum |
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| Eucalyptus steedmanii on the Hyden-Norseman Road | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
steedmanii
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The Eucalyptus steedmanii, also known as Steedman's gum or Steedman's mallet, is a special type of tree. It is a "mallet," which means it's a kind of eucalyptus tree that grows with a single, straight trunk and doesn't have a woody base that can regrow after a fire. This tree is found only in a small area of Western Australia.
It has smooth, shiny bark and long, narrow leaves. Its flowers are white and grow in groups of three. When the flowers are done, they turn into cool, four-winged fruits.
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What Steedman's Gum Looks Like
Steedman's gum is a mallet tree that usually grows between 2 and 12 meters tall. That's like a small house to a three-story building! It has smooth, shiny bark that can be grey, red-brown, or even a bright copper color.
The tree has many branches that grow upwards from low on its trunk. These branches create a thick, leafy top, like a dense crown.
Leaves and Flowers
The adult leaves of Steedman's gum are glossy, olive-green, and look the same on both sides. They are full of tiny oil glands. These leaves are narrow and oval-shaped, about 3 to 8.5 centimeters long and 0.6 to 1.5 centimeters wide.
The flower buds grow in groups of three where the leaves meet the stem. They hang downwards on a stalk that is about 1.5 to 3.1 centimeters long. Each individual bud has its own small stem, about 1.2 to 2 centimeters long.
When the buds are ready, they are yellowish-brown and shaped like a spindle. They are also square when you look at them from the end. These buds are about 2 to 3.2 centimeters long and 0.9 to 1.4 centimeters wide. The cap of the bud, called an operculum, splits into four parts as the flower gets ready to open.
Steedman's gum blooms between January and March, showing off its pretty white flowers.
Fruit
After the flowers, the tree produces a woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a cone and has four wings. It's called a capsule. These capsules are about 1.4 to 2 centimeters long and 1.3 to 2.2 centimeters wide. The parts that open to release the seeds are near the top edge of the fruit.
How Steedman's Gum Got Its Name
The scientific name for this tree, Eucalyptus steedmanii, was first officially written down in 1933. A botanist named Charles Gardner described it. He found a sample of the tree that Henry Steedman had collected in 1928, south of Southern Cross.
The second part of the name, steedmanii, is given in honor of Henry Steedman. This is a common way for new species to be named after the people who discover or study them.
Where Steedman's Gum Lives
Steedman's gum is found in a specific part of Western Australia. It grows on low hills and flat, wavy plains. You can find it between Ravensthorpe and Kondinin. It likes to grow in gravelly, loamy soils that are on top of a type of rock called ironstone.
There are only six known groups of these trees. Five of these groups are on land that belongs to the government, called Crown land. One group is split between Crown land and the side of a road.
Scientists believe there are about 24,500 mature Steedman's gum trees in total. They are spread out over an area of about 83.6 square kilometers. These trees often grow together in their own pure groups.
Protecting Steedman's Gum
Steedman's gum is considered a Vulnerable species. This means it's at risk of becoming extinct if we don't protect it. It was listed as "Vulnerable" in 2008 under an important Australian law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It's also listed as "Threatened Flora" by the Department of Environment and Conservation in Western Australia.
The biggest danger to these trees is fire. Fires can kill the adult trees. However, new trees have been seen growing from seeds after a fire, which is good news.
Other things that threaten Steedman's gum include:
- Mining operations in the areas where they grow.
- Maintenance work on firebreaks (areas cleared to stop fires).
- Activities people do for fun, like driving off-road, which can damage the plants.
It's important to protect these unique trees so they can continue to thrive in Western Australia.
