Messmate Stringybark

In the course of their evolution, eucalypts

have diversified into several hundred

species, variously adapted to cope with

habitats ranging from the alpine regions

to the arid areas, and comprising more

than 90 per cent of Australia's trees.

The name 'eucalypt', means 'completely

covered', a reference to the structure

of the seed case with its tight fitting

cap. At the end of flowering, the seed

cases dries and hardens into the familiar

Gumnut. Eucalypts probably came to dominate

the scene because of their ability to

survive fires which increase in frequency

with the growing aridity and availability

of fuel. The arrival of Aborigines, who

used fire to manage the land, may also

have been a factor.

set design©Kids4ME2004

Music - The Forest Speaks