| Xanthostemon eucalyptoides | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Xanthostemon |
| Species: | X. eucalyptoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthostemon eucalyptoides | |
Xanthostemon eucalyptoides is a tree species in the family Myrtaceae that is endemic to Australia. [1]
The tree typically grows to a height of 8 to 25 metres (26 to 82 ft). It blooms between June and July producing cream coloured flowers. [1] The stem has a cream or pale brown colour with brittle stripes usually visible in the outer blaze. [2] The stem is covered in flaky grey bark. [3] The evergreen leaf blades are amplexicaul with a length of 5 to 12 centimetres (2.0 to 4.7 in) and a width of 3 to 7 centimetres (1.18 to 2.76 in) and having curving lateral veins. [2] The leaves are discolorous with an elliptic shape with a base that is obtuse to cordate and an apex that is obtuse or emarginate. The inflorescence is cymose, often several in the upper axils forming a terminal cluster of five to thirty flowers that are up to 40 millimetres (1.57 in) long. [3] The fruits have a globular shape with a diameter of about 5 to 6 millimetres (0.20 to 0.24 in) with a calyx persistent at the base. [2]
The tree has a typical lifespan of over 20 years forming seeds after 10 years. It has a lignotuber and will resprout basally following fire. [4]
It is found in along watercourses in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia between the Prince Regent National Park and Wyndham where it grows in rocky sandstone-based soils. [1] The plants range extends into the Northern Territory, [2] from the Western Australian border as far east as the Arnhem Land plateau and south to about Pine Creek. [3]
The species was first formally described by the botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1859 as part of the work Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae . Other synonyms include Metrosideros eucalyptoides, Nania eucalyptoides and Nania eucalyptodes. [5]