Eucalyptus recurva

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Mongarlowe mallee

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. recurva
Binomial name
Eucalyptus recurva

Eucalyptus recurva, commonly known as Mongarlowe mallee,[3] is a species of dense mallee shrub that is endemic to a small area of New South Wales. It has smooth bark, a crown consisting of unusually small, juvenile leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and hemispherical fruit. It is only known from six extremely old multi-stemmed individual plants and is classed as "critically endangered".

Description

Eucalyptus recurva is a mallee that typically grows to a height of 1.5–4.2 m (4 ft 11 in – 13 ft 9 in) and forms a

capsule 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide with the valves protruding.[3][4][5][6]

The remaining wild specimens are thought to be extremely old. Based on the size of its lignotuber, the largest single specimen is estimated to be 3,000 years old, given that its lignotuber grows at only 2mm per year. However, it is possible that two other specimens are actually the result of a split in the original rootstock, and based on their spread of 26m would be estimated at 13,000 years old, which if correct would make it the oldest single tree known to be alive on earth.[7]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus recurva was first formally described in 1988 by Michael Crisp from material collected near Braidwood. The species was discovered by "Ms. R. Jean, a landholder from near Braidwood" who first brought specimens to the Australian National Botanic Gardens in August 1985.[6][8] The specific epithet (recurva) is a Latin word meaning "curved backwards", referring to the conspicuously recurved leaves of this mallee.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Mongarlowe mallee is found on sloping sites in low heathland and at the margins of the heathland and low woodland. It is only known from six individual plants growing at four sites near Mongarlowe and Windellama.

Conservation status

This mallee is classed as "critically endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the New South Wales Government Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The main threat to the species is visitation pressure, including collection of plant material, soil compaction and damage by vehicles.[5]

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T34924A168317460.en
    . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Eucalyptus recurva". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Eucalyptus recurva". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  4. ^ Hill, Ken. "Eucalyptus recurva". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Conservation Advice Eucalyptus recurva Mongarlowe mallee" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  6. ^
    doi:10.7751/telopea19884809
    .
  7. ^ "Draft Recovery Plan for the Mongarlowe Mallee (Eucalyptus recurva)" (PDF). Sydney, Australia: National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW. 2002.
  8. ^ "Eucalyptus recurva". APNI. Retrieved 10 December 2019.

External sources

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eucalyptus_recurva&oldid=1170816831"