Eucalyptus cambageana

Last updated

Dawson River blackbutt
Eucalyptus cambageana.jpg
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. cambageana
Binomial name
Eucalyptus cambageana

Eucalyptus cambageana, commonly known as the Dawson River blackbutt, Dawson gum [3] or Coowarra box, [4] is a species of tree that is endemic to Queensland, Australia. It is a medium-sized tree with hard, rough bark on the lower trunk, smooth white to cream-coloured bark above, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to funnel-shaped fruit.

Contents

flower buds Eucalyptus cambageana buds.jpg
flower buds

Description

Eucalyptus cambageana is a tree that typically grows to a height of 25 m (82 ft) high and forms a lignotuber. The bark on the lowest 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in – 9 ft 10 in) of the trunk is hard, rough, dark grey to black then abruptly changes above to smooth, white to grey bark. The leaves on young plants and coppice regrowth are egg-shaped, 70–145 mm (2.8–5.7 in) long and 30–63 mm (1.2–2.5 in) wide and dull bluish grey. Adult leaves are lance-shaped, sometimes curved, the same glossy green on both sides, 75–165 mm (3.0–6.5 in) long and 12–30 mm (0.5–1 in) wide on a petiole 10–27 mm (0.4–1 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven in leaf axils on a peduncle 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long, the individual flowers on a pedicel usually 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. Mature buds are oval, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 2–4 mm (0.079–0.16 in) wide with a conical to rounded operculum. Flowering occurs between July and September and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped to funnel-shaped capsule 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.2–0.2 in) wide with the valves enclosed below the rim. [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus cambageana was first formally described in 1913 by Joseph Maiden described from a specimen collected in 1912 from Mirtna Station near Charters Towers. [6] The specific epithet (cambageana) honours surveyor and botanist Richard Hind Cambage. [5] [7]

Distribution and habitat

Dawson River blackbutt is found from near Charleville, Charters Towers and Jericho to the coast of Queensland. It grows in scrubland or open woodland with brigalow ( Acacia harpophylla ), belah ( Casuarina cristata ), and wilga ( Geijera parviflora ). These open woodland communities where it is co-dominant with brigalow are found on clay, alluvial, or sedimentary soils. [4] [8] [9] [10] [11]

The presence of E. cambageana is an indicator of sodic soil, which has implications for agriculture in the region. [12]

Conservation

This eucalypt is classed as "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992. [13]

Uses

The heavy reddish-brown timber of this eucalypt is used for fence posts in the local area. It grows into too large a tree for gardens in general, but its contrasting bark give it horticultural potential for parks and acreage. [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Fensham, R.; Laffineur, B.; Collingwood, T. (2019). "Eucalyptus cambageana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 e.T133378334A133378336. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T133378334A133378336.en . Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "Eucalyptus cambageana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Eucalyptus cambageana Dawson gum, Dawson River blackbutt". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus cambageana". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. (1986). "Eu-Go". In Eliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol. 4. Lothian Publishing. p. 48. ISBN   0-85091-213-X.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus cambageana". APNI. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  7. ↑ Maiden, Joseph (1913). "Notes on Eucalyptus (with descriptions of new species) No. 1". Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. 47 (1): 91–94. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Flora – Queensland – Central West". Len Webb Ecological Images Collection. Griffith University. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  9. ↑ Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 10.4.3". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  10. ↑ Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 11.9.1". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  11. ↑ Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 10.3.3". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  12. ↑ Irvine, S.A.; Doughton, J.A. (2001). "Salinity and Sodicity, Implications for Farmers in Central Queensland". Australian Society of Agronomy. The Regional Institute Ltd. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "Dawson gum – Eucalyptus cambageana". The State of Queensland Department of Environment and Science. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
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