Woila gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woila gum |
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| Eucalyptus olsenii, cultivated specimen in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden | |
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Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
olsenii
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| E. olsenii , field distribution | |
The Eucalyptus olsenii, also known as the Woila gum, is a special type of small tree. It grows only in a small area of the Southern Tablelands in New South Wales, Australia. This tree has smooth bark, but its lower trunk can be a bit rough. Its leaves are shaped like a spear or slightly curved. The Woila gum produces white flowers and its fruit looks like a barrel or an urn.
Contents
What Does the Woila Gum Look Like?
The Woila gum tree usually grows to be about 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet) tall. It has a special woody swelling at its base called a lignotuber. This helps the tree regrow if it gets damaged.
Bark and Leaves
The bark of the Woila gum is smooth and can be white or cream-colored. It peels off in long strips, like ribbons. Sometimes, the bark at the bottom of the tree is rough and flaky.
Young Woila gum plants have shiny green leaves. These leaves are lighter on the underside. They can be egg-shaped, spear-shaped, or oval. They are usually 3 to 7.5 centimeters (1.2 to 3 inches) long and 1.2 to 4 centimeters (0.5 to 1.6 inches) wide.
Adult leaves are shiny green on both sides. They are shaped like a spear or are slightly curved. These leaves are typically 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 4.7 inches) long and 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) wide. They grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is about 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the Woila gum grow in groups of seven. They are found where the leaves meet the stem. Each group of flowers grows on a short stalk, about 3 to 8 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) long. The individual flower buds are oval-shaped. They are usually 10 to 17 millimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long and 6 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. Each bud has a cone-shaped or beaked cap.
Woila gum trees have been seen flowering in October and November. Their flowers are white. After flowering, the tree produces woody fruit. This fruit is shaped like a barrel or an urn. It is typically 12 to 22 millimeters (0.5 to 0.9 inches) long and 12 to 18 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) wide.
Where Does the Woila Gum Grow?
The Woila gum lives in a very specific part of Australia. You can find it in the mountains northeast of Cooma and south of Braidwood. It prefers to grow in woodlands. These trees often grow in poor soil on steep hillsides. The Woila gum also grows well when planted in gardens as an ornamental tree.
Who Discovered the Woila Gum?
The Woila gum was officially described for the first time in 1980. Two scientists, Lawrie Johnsone and Don Blaxell, gave it its scientific name, Eucalyptus olsenii.
The name olsenii honors Ian Sinclair Olsen. He was the person who first realized that this tree was a new and different species. He made this discovery during a bushwalking trip led by Henry Fairlie-Cuninghame.
Images for kids
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A young Woila gum tree growing in the Maranoa Gardens in Melbourne
See also
In Spanish: Eucalyptus olsenii para niños
