Eucalyptus alba

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White gum
Eucalyptus alba.jpg
Eucalyptus alba habit
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. alba
Binomial name
Eucalyptus alba

Eucalyptus alba, commonly known as white gum, khaki gum [3] or poplar gum, [4] is a species of tree that is native to Australia, Timor, and New Guinea. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to hemispherical fruits.

Contents

Flowering in East Timor Montane woodland at c. 1,000 m, 5 km west of Seloi village - flowering Eucalyptus alba, 6 Apr 2006.jpg
Flowering in East Timor

Description

Eucalyptus alba is a tree which grows to a height of 5 to 18 m (16 to 59 ft) with a spreading crown 5 to 15 m (16 to 49 ft) wide. The trunk is often bent and has smooth pinkish red to white or cream-coloured, powdery bark. The leaves on young plants are arranged alternately, egg-shaped to more or less round, 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long and 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) wide. The adult leaves are egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 5–12 cm (2.0–4.7 in) long and 5–8 cm (2.0–3.1 in) wide with both sides a similar shade of green. The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven on a peduncle 4–14 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long. The buds are oval to more or less spherical, with an operculum 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide, similar in dimension to the floral cup. White flowers appear from August to November and are sometimes profuse. The fruit are cone-shaped to hemispherical, 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. [5] [6]

The related Eucalyptus bigalerita is similar in appearance, but has larger leaves, buds and seed pods, and is found in alluvial flats. [7]

Taxonomy

Eucalyptus alba was first described in 1826 by Carl Ludwig Blume, after being discovered by Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt on Timor and the description was published in Blume's book, Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië . [2] [8] The specific epithet (alba) is a Latin word meaning "white" [9] and refers to the bark. Within the genus Eucalyptus, this species belongs in the subgenus Symphyomyrtus. [5] Common names include white gum, poplar gum, khaki gum, wongoola, salmon gum and Timor white gum. [10]

Distribution and habitat

A dominant tree in open woodlands, white gum is found from northeastern Western Australia in the Kimberley region across the Top End of the Northern Territory and between the Cape York Peninsula and Rockhampton in Queensland, as well as New Guinea and Timor. [5] [6] [4] It is often found on ridges and elevated areas, [7] often on poor soil. [5]

Uses

Eucalyptus alba has horticultural appeal as a small ornamental tree, [5] and can also attract birds. [11] It has also been used for fencing in northern Australia, while the flowers have been used in the beekeeping industry for honey. [5] It was valued by aborigines in the Northern Territory for firewood. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Eucalyptus haemastoma, commonly known as scribbly gum, is a species of tree that is endemic to the Sydney region. It has white or silvery grey bark, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and conical or hemispherical fruit. It is one of several eucalypts with prominent and differing insect scribbles in the bark, caused by the larvae of Ogmograptis,.

<i>Eucalyptus dalrympleana</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus dalrympleana, commonly known as mountain gum, mountain white gum, white gum and broad-leaved ribbon gum, is a species of tree that is endemic to southeastern Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three or seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, bell-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus moluccana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus moluccana, commonly known as the grey box, gum-topped box or terriyergro, is a medium-sized to tall tree with rough bark on part or all of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to barrel-shaped fruit. It is found in near-coastal areas of Queensland and New South Wales.

<i>Eucalyptus leucoxylon</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus leucoxylon, commonly known as yellow gum, blue gum or white ironbark, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It has smooth yellowish bark with some rough bark near the base, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three and cylindrical, barrel-shaped or shortened spherical fruit. A widely cultivated species, it has white, red or pink flowers.

<i>Eucalyptus crenulata</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus crenulata, commonly known as Buxton gum, silver gum or Victorian silver gum, is a rare species of medium-sized tree that is found only in the wild in a small area in Victoria but is widely planted. It has rough, compacted bark on the trunk, sessile, egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaves arranged in opposite pairs, flower buds covered with a white, powdery bloom, white flowers and cup-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus rossii</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus rossii, commonly known as inland scribbly gum or white gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It has smooth bark with insect scribbles, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and hemispherical or shortened spherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus longifolia</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus longifolia, commonly known as woollybutt, is a species of medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has thick, fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and cup-shaped to cylindrical or hemispherical fruit. The drooping flower heads in groups of three are a distinguishing feature. It grows in heavy soils often near water.

<i>Eucalyptus racemosa</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus racemosa, commonly known as snappy gum or narrow-leaved scribbly gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has smooth, mottled bark, lance-shaped to curved or egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped, conical or hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus bigalerita</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus bigalerita, commonly known as the northern salmon gum, Adelaide River white gum, or poplar gum is a species of tree that is endemic to north-western Australia. It has smooth bark, large triangular to more or less round adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus brookeriana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus brookeriana, commonly known as Brooker's gum, is a tree species that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the lower part of its trunk, smooth bark higher up, lance-shaped, egg-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds usually arranged in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, conical or bell-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus yarraensis</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus yarraensis, commonly known as Yarra gum, is a tree species that is endemic to Victoria, Australia. It has rough bark on the trunk and larger branches, lance-shaped to elliptical or egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical fruit. In 2021 the Victorian Government listed it as critically endangered under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

<i>Eucalyptus fasciculosa</i> Species of eucalypt tree

Eucalyptus fasciculosa, commonly known as pink gum, hill gum or scrub gum, is a species of small tree that is endemic to southern Australia. It has mostly smooth, light grey to pinkish bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to barrel-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus canaliculata</i> Species of tree

Eucalyptus canaliculata, commonly known as grey gum, is a tree endemic to a small area in New South Wales in eastern Australia. It has smooth, mostly grey bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical or hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus brevifolia</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus brevifolia, commonly known as snappy white gum or northern white gum, is a tree that is endemic to northern Australia. It has smooth, powdery white bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, buds arranged in group of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus herbertiana</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus herbertiana, commonly known as Kalumburu gum or yellow-barked mallee, is a species of small tree or mallee that is endemic to northern Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, hemispherical or conical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus leucophloia</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus leucophloia, commonly known as snappy gum or migum, is a species of small tree or mallee that is endemic to northern Australia. The indigenous Mangarayi and Yangman peoples know the tree as mirndir, the Ngarluma name it as malygan and Yindjibarndi peoples know the tree as majgan. It has smooth, powdery bark, lance-shaped to egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, barrel-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

Eucalyptus rupestris, commonly known as Prince Regent gum, is a species of small tree that is endemic to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, elliptical to egg-shaped or broadly lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to more or less cylindrical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus diversifolia</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus diversifolia, commonly known as the soap mallee, coastal white mallee, South Australian coastal mallee, or coast gum is a species of mallee that is endemic to an area along the southern coast of Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white to creamy yellow flowers and cup-shaped fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus neglecta</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus neglecta, commonly known as Omeo gum, is a species of small tree that is endemic to a small area of Victoria, Australia. Older plants have rough, fibrous bark on the trunk, otherwise smooth grey to brownish bark, a crown of mostly lance-shaped, egg-shaped or oblong leaves arranged in opposite pairs, flower buds in groups of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped or conical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus platyphylla</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus platyphylla, commonly known as poplar gum or white gum, is a species of medium-sized tree that is endemic to Queensland. It has smooth. powdery bark, heart-shaped, egg-shaped to almost round leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to hemispherical fruit.

References

  1. ↑ Fensham, R.; Collingwood, T.; Laffineur, B. (2019). "Eucalyptus alba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T61906053A61906056. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T61906053A61906056.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Eucalyptus alba". APNI. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  3. ↑ Philip A. Clarke (2012). Australian plants as Aboriginal Tools. Rosenberg Publishing. ISBN   9781922013576.
  4. 1 2 "Eucalyptus alba". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. (1986). "Eu-Go". Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol. 4. Lothian Publishing. pp. 16–17. ISBN   0-85091-213-X.
  6. 1 2 Chippendale, George McCartney (1988). George, Alex S. (ed.). Flora of Australia (Volume 19). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. pp. 312–313. ISBN   0644058668.
  7. 1 2 3 Brock, John (2001) [1988]. Native plants of northern Australia. Frenchs Forest, New South Wales: New Holland Press. pp. 152, 156. ISBN   1-876334-67-3.
  8. ↑ Blume, Carl Ludwig (1826). Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indie (Volume 17). Batavia. p. 1101. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  9. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 856.
  10. ↑ "Eucalyptus alba". APNI. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  11. ↑ "White Gum (Eucalyptus alba)". Waterwise Plant Selector. The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines). 25 January 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
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