Eucalyptus botryoides

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Bangalay, Southern Mahogany
Eucalyptus botryoides1.jpg
Eucalyptus botryoides, Melbourne
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. botryoides
Binomial name
Eucalyptus botryoides
Sm.
E. botryoides.JPG
E. botryoides, field distribution

Eucalyptus botryoides, commonly known as the bangalay, bastard jarrah, woollybutt [2] or southern mahogany, is a small to tall tree native to southeastern Australia. Reaching up to 40 metres (130 feet) high, it has rough bark on its trunk and branches. It is found on sandstone- or shale-based soils in open woodland, or on more sandy soils behind sand dunes. The white flowers appear in summer and autumn. It reproduces by resprouting from its woody lignotuber or epicormic buds after bushfire. E. botryoides hybridises with the Sydney blue gum ( E. saligna ) in the Sydney region. The hard, durable wood has been used for panelling and flooring.

Contents

Description

In favourable conditions, Eucalyptus botryoides can grow as a straight-trunked tree to 40 m (130 ft) high with a dbh of 1 m (3.3 ft), although it is often shorter in poorer situations. In exposed areas behind sand dunes, it is a lower spreading tree 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall, [3] [4] with its leaves forming a dense crown, [5] or even a multitrunked mallee form in poor sandy soils. [6] It has a swollen woody base known as a lignotuber which can reach 6 m (20 ft) in diameter. [7] The thick, fibrous, rough and flaky bark covers the trunk and larger branches, and is vertically furrowed. [8] The bark is more greyish brown in trees of inland forest origin, and a redder brown in those of more coastal origin. [3] The bark on smaller branches is smooth and pale grey. [9]

The adult leaves are stalked, broad-lanceolate, to 10 to 16 cm (3.9 to 6.3 in) long by 2–6 cm (0.79–2.36 in) wide, and are dark green above, and paler below. [8] Venation is fine and at 40° – 60° to the midline. [4] Developing from small cylindrical or club-shaped (clavate) buds, [8] the white flowers appear from January to April, [10] and are arranged in groups of six to eleven in umbellasters. The woody fruits, or gumnuts, are ovoid or cylindrical in shape, and measure between 7–12 mm long and 4–6 mm wide, with the valve near the rim or enclosed. [8] [4] Seedlings and young plants have more ovate leaves which are arranged oppositely along the stems for the first three to six pairs until they assume the adult alternately arranged configuration. They are also paler on the undersurface, and measure 4.5 to 11 cm long and 1.3 to 5.5 cm wide. [3] [4]

Taxonomy

The tree was first described by naturalist James Edward Smith in 1797, without nominating a type specimen, and still bears its original name. [11] [12] The species name is derived from the Ancient Greek botrys "cluster", and may relate to the clustered flowerheads and fruit. [3] It has been classified in the subgenus Symphyomyrtus, Section Latoangulatae, Series Annulares (red mahoganies) by Brooker and Kleinig. Its closest relatives are the red mahogany ( Eucalyptus scias ) and the Blue Mountains mahogany ( E. notabilis ), red mahogany/red messmate ( E. resinifera ) and swamp mahogany ( E. robusta ). [9] South of Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River, E. botryoides forms hybrid populations with Sydney blue gum ( E. saligna ). [10]

Distribution and habitat

Base of a large Bangalay, Hacking River, Australia Bangalay.JPG
Base of a large Bangalay, Hacking River, Australia

Distribution is coastal south eastern Australia from near Newcastle on the mid coast of New South Wales to eastern Victoria in the Lakes Entrance area, specifically Loch Sport south of Bairnsdale. [9] The species was introduced to Western Australia, where it is listed as an alien. [13] It grows predominantly on low nutrient sandstone-derived or sandy soils, [10] either behind coastal sand dunes or further inland in alluvial soils in valleys, [3] where it is a dominant tree. It is generally not far from salt water. [5] Eucalyptus botryoides is only found in lowlands, from sea level to 300 m (980 ft) altitude, and in areas of rainfall from 700 to 1,300 mm (28 to 51 in). [3]

Trees in mixed open forest it grows with include turpentine ( Syncarpia glomulifera ), spotted gum ( Corymbia maculata ), red bloodwood ( C. gummifera ), blackbutt ( E. pilularis ), Sydney blue gum, red mahogany ( E. resinifera ), [3] and smooth-barked apple ( Angophora costata ). [10] Associated understory plants in wetter forests with some rainforest transition include lillypilly ( Syzygium smithii ) and wattles. In coastal plant communities near sand-dunes, it grows with stunted forms of white stringybark ( E. globoidea ), silvertop ash ( E. sieberi ), banksia [3] and such understory plants as burrawang ( Macrozamia communis ). [5] It is a component tree of wetland forest in Booderee National Park alongside blackbutt, red bloodwood, grey ironbark ( Eucalyptus paniculata ), scribbly gum ( E. sclerophylla ), old man banksia ( Banksia serrata ), coast banksia ( B. integrifolia ) and snow-in-summer ( Melaleuca linariifolia ), with understory plants such as jointed twig-rush ( Baumea articulata ), tall spike-rush ( Eleocharis sphacelata ), prickly tea-tree ( Leptospermum juniperinum ), and zig-zag bog-rush ( Schoenus brevifolius ). [14]

Ecology

Eucalyptus botryoides regenerates after bushfire by resprouting from epicormic buds and its woody lignotuber. Plants have been dated at 600 years of age. [7] It also drops branches, [10] and these have been known to grow roots. The wet environment and water-absorbing qualities of the thick, fibrous bark facilitate this. [15] The koala (Phascalarctos cinereus) eats the leaves, and ants consume the nectar. The species is highly susceptible to psyllids. [10]

Uses

The heartwood of this species is durable and heavy (about 765–985 kg/m3), and resembles that of E. saligna and E. grandis. It is used for flooring and panelling. [3]

Related Research Articles

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

Eucalyptus viminalis, commonly known as the manna gum, white gum or ribbon gum, is a species of small to very tall tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has smooth bark, sometimes with rough bark near the base, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three or seven, white flowers and cup-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

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

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

Eucalyptus saligna, commonly known as the Sydney blue gum or blue gum, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, flaky bark near the base of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, nine or eleven, white flowers and cylindrical to conical or cup-shaped fruit.

<i>Angophora costata</i> Species of tree

Angophora costata, commonly known as Sydney red gum, rusty gum or smooth-barked apple, is a species of tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. Reaching 30 m (100 ft) in height, the species has distinctive smooth bark that is pinkish or orange-brown when new and fades to grey with age. Its lance-shaped leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems, with white or creamy white flowers appearing from October to December. The flower buds are usually arranged in groups of three, followed by ribbed, oval or bell-shaped fruit.

<i>Syncarpia glomulifera</i> Species of tree

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

Eucalyptus grandis, commonly known as the flooded gum or rose gum, is a tall tree with smooth bark, rough at the base fibrous or flaky, grey to grey-brown. At maturity, it reaches 50 metres tall, though the largest specimens can exceed 80 metres tall. It is found on coastal areas and sub-coastal ranges from Newcastle in New South Wales northwards to west of Daintree in Queensland, mainly on flat land and lower slopes, where it is the dominant tree of wet forests and on the margins of rainforests.

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

Eucalyptus olsenii, commonly known as the Woila gum, is a species of small tree that is endemic to a restricted area on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. It has smooth bark with rough bark on the lower trunk, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and barrel-shaped or urn-shaped fruit.

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

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

Eucalyptus elata, commonly known as the river peppermint or river white gum, is a species of medium to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, compacted bark on the lower trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, green to yellow flower buds arranged in groups of eleven to thirty or more, white flowers and hemispherical or shortened spherical fruit.

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

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

Eucalyptus robusta, commonly known as swamp mahogany or swamp messmate, is a tree native to eastern Australia. Growing in swampy or waterlogged soils, it is up to 30 m (100 ft) high with thick spongy reddish brown bark and dark green broad leaves, which help form a dense canopy. The white to cream flowers appear in autumn and winter. The leaves are commonly eaten by insects, and are a food item for the koala. It is an important autumn-winter flowering species in eastern Australia, and has been planted extensively in many countries around the world. Its timber is used for firewood and in general construction.

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

Eucalyptus tereticornis, commonly known as forest red gum, blue gum or red irongum, is a species of tree that is native to eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, nine or eleven, white flowers and hemispherical fruit.

<i>Angophora hispida</i> Species of tree

Angophora hispida grows as a mallee, or as a tree to about 7 m (25 ft) in height. A. hispida's small size, especially when compared to its Angophora and Eucalyptus relatives, leads to it being known by the common name dwarf apple. It is native to a relatively small patch of central New South Wales – from just south of Sydney up to the Gosford area. The plant's leaves are sessile (stalk-less) and hug the stem with heart-shaped bases. Its previous name – A. cordifolia – referred to these cordate leaves. Another distinctive feature are the red bristly hairs that cover the branchlets, flower bases and new growth. This leads to the specific epithet hispida.

<i>Angophora floribunda</i> Species of tree

Angophora floribunda, commonly known as the rough-barked apple, is a common woodland and forest tree of the family Myrtaceae native to Eastern Australia. Reaching 30 m (100 ft) high, it is a large tree with fibrous bark and cream-white flowers that appear over the Austral summer. It grows on alluvial soils on floodplains and along watercourses. Much of the land it grew on has been cleared for agriculture.

<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 pilularis</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as blackbutt, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, finely fibrous greyish bark on the lower half of the trunk, smooth white, grey or cream-coloured bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and hemispherical or shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus deanei, commonly known as mountain blue gum, round-leaved gum, or Deane's gum, is a species of large tree endemic to New South Wales. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped leaves that are paler on the lower surface, flower buds in groups of seven to eleven, white flowers and cup-shaped to bell-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus resinifera, commonly known as red mahogany or red messmate, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree endemic to coastal areas of eastern Australia. It has rough, stringy or fibrous bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and hemispherical, conical or cup-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus scias, known as the large-fruited red mahogany, is a species of small, straggly to medium-sized tree that is endemic to the high rainfall coastal areas of New South Wales. It has rough, fibrous bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three or seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, conical or bell-shaped fruit.

References

  1. ↑ Fensham, R., Laffineur, B. & Collingwood, T. 2019. Eucalyptus botryoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T133374878A133374880. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T133374878A133374880.en. Downloaded on 20 September 2021.
  2. ↑ Philip A. Clarke (2012). Australian plants as Aboriginal Tools. Rosenberg Publishing. ISBN   9781922013576.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Boland, Douglas J.; Brooker, M. I. H.; Chippendale, G. M.; McDonald, Maurice William (2006). Forest trees of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. pp. 87–88. ISBN   0-643-06969-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Fuller, Leon (1982). Wollongong's Native Trees (Second ed.). Kiama: Weston & Co Publishers Pty Ltd. pp. 162–163. ISBN   0959471111.
  5. 1 2 3 Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District:An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 210. ISBN   0-7318-1031-7.
  6. ↑ Lacey, C. J. (1983). "Development of Large Plate-Like Lignotubers in Eucalyptus botryoides Sm. In Relation to Environmental Factors". Australian Journal of Botany. 31 (2): 105–18. doi:10.1071/BT9830105.
  7. 1 2 Benson and McDougall (1998), p. 871.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Hill, Ken. "New South Wales Flora Online: Eucalyptus botryoides". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 Brooker, M.I.H.; Kleinig, D. A. (1999). Field Guide to Eucalypts. Vol. 1: South-eastern Australia. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. pp. 73–78. ISBN   1-876473-03-7.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1998). "Ecology of Sydney plant species:Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae" (PDF). Cunninghamia. 5 (4): 926. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  11. ↑ Smith, J.E. (1797) Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 3: 286
  12. ↑ "Eucalyptus botryoides R.Br". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  13. ↑ "Eucalyptus botryoides". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  14. ↑ Roe, John H.; Georges, Arthur (2007). "Heterogeneous wetland complexes, buffer zones, and travel corridors: Landscape management for freshwater reptiles" (PDF). Biological Conservation. 135: 67–76. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.09.019.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ Lacey, C. J.; Gillison, A. N.; Whitecross, M. I. (1982). "Root Formation by Stems of Eucalyptus botryoides Sm. In Natural Stands". Australian Journal of Botany. 30 (2): 147–59. doi:10.1071/BT9820147.
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