Strickland's gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strickland's gum |
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| Eucalyptus stricklandii north of Norseman | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
stricklandii
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| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus stricklandi Maiden orth. var. |
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Strickland's gum, also known as Eucalyptus stricklandii, is a small tree. It mostly grows only in Western Australia. Sometimes, it can also be found growing wild in Victoria after being planted there. This tree has rough bark that can be crumbly or flaky near the bottom of its trunk. Higher up, the bark is smooth and can be reddish-brown or grey. Its adult leaves look like the tip of a spear. The tree produces flower buds in groups of seven, which then open into bright yellow flowers. After flowering, it grows bell-shaped fruits.
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What Strickland's Gum Looks Like
Strickland's gum is a tree that usually grows to be about 4 to 11 meters (13 to 36 feet) tall. Unlike some other trees, it does not have a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This means it can't regrow easily from its base if the top part is destroyed.
Bark and Leaves
The bark on the lower part of the trunk is rough and can be crumbly or flaky. As you look higher up the trunk, the bark becomes smooth and can be reddish-brown or grey.
Young plants and new shoots that grow from a cut or damaged tree have thick, dull green or greyish leaves. These leaves are shaped like an egg and are about 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) (4-6 inches) long and 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) (2.4-3.1 inches) wide.
The adult leaves are thick and shiny green. They are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are about 105–185 mm (4.1–7.3 in) (4.1-7.3 inches) long and 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) (2.4-3.1 inches) wide. They narrow down to a stalk called a petiole, which is about 23–43 mm (0.91–1.69 in) (0.9-1.7 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flower buds grow in groups of seven where the leaves meet the stem. These groups of buds are on a flat, unbranched stalk, which can be 10–28 mm (0.39–1.10 in) (0.4-1.1 inches) long. This stalk often has a whitish or bluish-green powdery coating, which is called glaucous. The individual buds sit directly on this stalk without their own small stems.
When the buds are ready to open, they are shaped like a cylinder but flare out just below their cap. They are about 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) (0.8-1 inch) long and 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) (0.3-0.5 inches) wide. The cap, which covers the flower parts, can be cone-shaped or rounded.
Strickland's gum usually flowers from November to December, or sometimes from January to March. The flowers are bright yellow. After the flowers, the tree produces a woody, bell-shaped fruit. This fruit is a type of capsule, about 10–18 mm (0.39–0.71 in) (0.4-0.7 inches) long and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) (0.4-0.6 inches) wide. When the fruit opens, its parts are near the rim.
How Strickland's Gum Got Its Name
The scientific name Eucalyptus stricklandii was first officially described in 1911. A botanist named Joseph Maiden wrote about it in a scientific journal. The second part of the name, stricklandii, was chosen to honor a person named Gerald Strickland.
Where Strickland's Gum Grows
Strickland's gum is found naturally in Western Australia. It grows on ridges, rocky hills, and sometimes near creeks. You can find it in woodlands around places like Coolgardie and Norseman.
This tree has also been planted in dry areas of Victoria. It's possible that it has started growing wild in the north-west part of that state too, meaning it's become naturalised there.
Is Strickland's Gum Endangered?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Strickland's gum. They have classified this type of eucalypt as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these trees in the wild, and they are not currently at risk of disappearing.
