Twertup mallet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twertup mallee |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
|
| Species: |
arborella
|
The Eucalyptus arborella, also known as the Twertup mallet, is a special kind of small tree or "mallet." It only grows in a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. This unique tree has smooth, greyish bark. Its adult leaves are long and narrow, shaped like a spear. The flowers grow in groups of thirteen to twenty, and they are fused together. These flowers are yellowish-green. After flowering, the fruits also grow fused together in a woody mass.
Contents
What Does the Twertup Mallet Look Like?
The Twertup mallet is a type of tree that usually grows up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. Unlike some other eucalypts, it does not have a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This means it can't easily regrow from its base if the main trunk is damaged.
Its bark is smooth and whitish-grey. Sometimes, it can even turn a pretty coppery-pink color.
- Young plants and new shoots have egg-shaped leaves. These leaves can be up to 60 mm (2 in) long and 28 mm (1 in) wide.
- Adult leaves are glossy dark green on both sides. They are shaped like an ellipse or a spear, measuring 60–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 12–19 mm (0.5–0.7 in) wide. Each leaf has a short stalk, called a petiole, which is 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long.
The flower buds are quite interesting!
- They grow in groups of thirteen to twenty.
- These groups are joined together at their base.
- They sit in the leaf axils (the spot where a leaf joins the stem) on a flattened stalk 12 to 35 mm (0.5 to 1.4 in) long.
- When fully grown, a cluster of buds is 45–65 mm (2–3 in) long.
- Each individual bud is 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide at the bottom of its cap.
- The cap, called an operculum, is 38–50 mm (1–2 in) long and curved.
The Twertup mallet flowers between March and May. Its flowers are a greenish color. After the flowers, the fruits form a woody mass. This mass is 9–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide and hangs downwards on its stalk.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The Eucalyptus arborella was officially described in 2002. Two scientists, Ian Brooker and Stephen Hopper, were the first to formally describe it. They found a sample of the tree near the Twertup field studies center, which is in the Fitzgerald River National Park.
They published their description in a science journal called Nuytsia. The second part of its scientific name, arborella, comes from a Latin word. Arbor means "tree," and the ending -ella means "little." So, arborella means "little tree."
Where Does It Grow?
The Twertup mallet likes to grow in rocky areas. You can find it in the Fitzgerald River National Park and also near a place called Corackerup. Both of these locations are in the Esperance Plains biogeographic region of Western Australia.
Is It Protected?
Yes, this eucalypt is protected! The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified it as "Priority Three."
What does "Priority Three" mean?
- It means that we don't know a lot about this plant yet.
- It is only found in a few specific places.
- However, it is not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. Scientists and park rangers are keeping an eye on it to make sure it stays safe.
