Xanthostemon eucalyptoides facts for kids

Xanthostemon eucalyptoides is a special kind of tree that belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes eucalyptus trees. This tree is found only in Australia, meaning it is endemic to this continent.

What it Looks Like

This tree usually grows quite tall, reaching heights of about 8 to 25 meters (26 to 82 feet). It has beautiful cream-colored flowers that bloom in June and July.

Trunk and Bark

The trunk of the Xanthostemon eucalyptoides tree is often cream or light brown. You might see brittle stripes on its outer layer. The trunk is covered with flaky, grey bark, which gives it a unique look.

Leaves

Its leaves stay green all year round. They are about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long and 3 to 7 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) wide. The leaves have curved veins and are a bit different in color on their top and bottom sides. They are shaped like an oval, with a rounded or heart-shaped base and a blunt or slightly notched tip.

Flowers and Fruits

The flowers grow in clusters, often with 5 to 30 flowers grouped together at the end of branches. Each flower can be up to 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) long. After the flowers, the tree produces small, round fruits. These fruits are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) across and have a part of the flower (called the calyx) still attached at their base.

Where it Lives

This tree loves to grow near rivers and streams. You can find it in the eastern Kimberley area of Western Australia, stretching from Prince Regent National Park all the way to Wyndham. It prefers rocky soils that are based on sandstone. The tree's home also extends into the Northern Territory, going as far east as the Arnhem Land plateau and south to Pine Creek.

Life Cycle and Survival

The Xanthostemon eucalyptoides tree can live for more than 20 years. It starts making seeds when it is about 10 years old. This tree has a special underground woody swelling called a lignotuber. This helps it to regrow from its base after a bushfire, allowing it to survive and thrive even after fires.

Discovery and Naming

The first official description of this tree was made by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller in 1859. He included it in his work called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Over time, this tree has also been known by other names, such as Metrosideros eucalyptoides, Nania eucalyptoides, and Nania eucalyptodes.