clusterleaf vs koala

Terminalia sericea compared with Phascolarctos cinereus

Key Differences

  • clusterleaf is Least Concern while koala is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank clusterleaf koala
Kingdom Plantae (植物) Animalia (动物界)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (木兰植物门) Chordata (脊索动物门)
Class Magnoliopsida (木兰纲) Mammalia (哺乳動物)
Order Myrtales (桃金娘目) Diprotodontia (雙門齒目)
Family Combretaceae Phascolarctidae (Koalas)
Genus Terminalia Phascolarctos (Koalas)
Species Terminalia sericea Phascolarctos cinereus

Conservation Status

clusterleaf

LC — Least Concern

koala

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~100.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute clusterleaf koala
Diet Herbivore
Average Lifespan 15 years
Average Length 75 cm
Average Weight 10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

clusterleaf

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Found in India.

koala

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Found in Australia. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

clusterleaf

Terminalia sericea, known as clusterleaf or silver terminalia, is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the family Combretaceae native to the savanna woodlands and bushveld of southern Africa, ranging from South Africa through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and into Zambia and Mozambique. The species is a characteristic and abundant component of the broad-leaved miombo and mopane woodland systems of the region. Trees typically reach 6–12 meters in height, distinguished by their distinctive silvery-grey leaves clustered at branch tips, which account for the common name clusterleaf. The leaf undersides are covered with fine silky hairs giving a silver sheen that is particularly visible in sunlight and dry season conditions. Terminalia sericea is prized for its dense, durable hardwood, and extracts from the roots, bark, and leaves have extensive applications in traditional African medicine, being used to treat infections, stomach complaints, and malaria symptoms. Pharmacological research has confirmed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in the species. It produces small, winged fruits that are wind-dispersed across the savanna landscape. The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains common and widespread across its southern African range.

koala

澳大利亚东部和东南部的标志性有袋类动物,体重最大可达15千克,为了节省低热量桉树叶食物所提供的能量,每天最多睡眠22小时。高度特化,能够处理会致大多数其他哺乳动物死亡的有毒桉树成分,拥有专门适应解毒功能的肠道微生物群。因衣原体病、栖息地开发和气候变化导致种群锐减,2022年被列为濒危物种。

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia