Yalu facts for kids

The Terminalia grandiflora, often called yalu, plumwood, or nutwood, is a tree found in northern Australia. It belongs to the plant family Combretaceae. Different Aboriginal groups have their own names for this tree. The Nungali people call it badgari, and the Jaru people know it as badgari too. The Wagiman people call it barnyin.

About the Yalu Tree

The yalu tree usually grows to be about 2 to 15 meters (6.5 to 49 feet) tall. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves every year.

What the Yalu Tree Looks Like

• Flowers: The tree blooms between March and November. Its flowers are white, cream, or yellow. They are about 15 to 20 millimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) long and about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) wide.
• Bark: When the tree is young, its bark is brown. As it gets older, the bark turns grey and has deep cracks.
• Leaves: The leaves hang down and are green. They are shaped like narrow blades, about 4 to 13 centimeters (1.6 to 5.1 inches) long and 6 to 16 millimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) wide.
• Fruits: After December, the tree grows smooth, purple fruits. These fruits are juicy and shaped like a globe or an egg, with a distinct point. They are usually about 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) long and 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) wide.

Where the Yalu Tree Grows

You can find the yalu tree in northern Australia. It grows in places like creek beds and floodplains. It prefers sandy soils and areas where rivers have deposited soil. This tree is common in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It also spreads across the Top End of the Northern Territory.

History of the Yalu Tree's Name

The first official description of the yalu tree was made by a botanist named George Bentham. He described it in 1864 in his book Flora Australiensis. Later, in 1891, another botanist, Otto Kuntze, gave it a different name, Myrobalanus grandiflora, in his work Revisio Generum Plantarum. However, Terminalia grandiflora is the name most commonly used today.