Eucalyptus leucoxylon

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Blue gum, yellow gum
Eucalyptus leucoxylon.jpg
Eucalyptus leucoxylon, in Maranoa Gardens, Melbourne
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. leucoxylon
Binomial name
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
E. leucoxylon.JPG
E. leucoxylon, field distribution

Eucalyptus leucoxylon, commonly known as yellow gum, blue gum or white ironbark, [3] 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.

Contents

flowers and buds Eucalyptus leucoxylon buds.jpg
flowers and buds
fruit Eucalyptus leucoxylon fruit.jpg
fruit

Description

Eucalyptus leucoxylon is a tree that typically grows to a height of 10–30 m (33–98 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has smooth white, yellow or bluish-grey bark, usually with 0.5–2 m (1 ft 8 in – 6 ft 7 in) of rough fibrous to flaky bark the base of the trunk. Young plants and coppice regrowth have leaves mostly arranged in opposite pairs, egg-shaped to broadly lance-shaped, 45–105 mm (1.8–4.1 in) long and 20–73 mm (0.79–2.87 in) wide. Adult leaves are arranged alternately, the same slightly glossy shade of green on both sides, lance-shaped to curved, 60–185 mm (2.4–7.3 in) long and 10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in) wide, tapering to a petiole 9–25 mm (0.35–0.98 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in groups of three in leaf axils on an unbranched peduncle 4–11 mm (0.16–0.43 in) long, the individual buds on pedicels 2–14 mm (0.079–0.551 in) long. Mature buds are oval to diamond-shaped or more or less spherical, 6–17 mm (0.24–0.67 in) long, 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) wide with a conical to rounded or beaked operculum. Flowering has been recorded in most months and the flowers a white, red or pink. The fruit is a woody, cylindrical, barrel-shaped or shortened spherical capsule 6–13 mm (0.24–0.51 in) long, 6–14 mm (0.24–0.55 in) wide with the valves enclosed below rim level. [3] [4] [5] [6]

This species is similar to E. melliodora and E. sideroxylon subsp. sideroxylon but differs in having three buds in each group of flowers. [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus leucoxylon was first formally described in 1855 by Ferdinand von Mueller in the Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science [7] . [8] The specific epithet (leucoxylon) is derived from the ancient Greek leuco- meaning "white" [9] : 441  and -xylon meaning "wood". [9] : 531 

Subspecies and varieties

The subspecies and varieties accepted by the Australian Plant Census (APC) as at September 2019 are:

Distribution and habitat

This eucalypt species is found in Victoria, south-eastern South Australia and far south-western New South Wales. All six subspecies occur in Victoria. Subspecies bellarinensis is only known from the Bellarine Peninsula near Ocean Grove and Torquay. Subspecies connata grows on skeletal soils, mostly in the Brisbane Ranges. Subspecies leucoxylon is the most widespread species and occurs in scattered populations across Victoria and in south-eastern South Australia, including on Kangaroo Island where the tallest specimens are found. Subspecies megalocarpa is a stunted tree or mallee only found in coastal areas from the far south-east of South Australia to far western Victoria. Subspecies pruinosa occurs in drier areas of South Australia, the Wimmera and Goldfields of Victoria and on the Murray River floodplain near Barham in New South Wales. [3] [5] [11] [21]

Uses

Essential oils

The leaves are distilled for the production of cineole based eucalyptus oil. [22]

Use in horticulture

Subspecies megalocarpa is a relatively small tree with red flowers and large fruit is often available under the horticultural name, ‘Rosea’. It flowers profusely in winter, and is widely planted as an ornamental plant. [23] [24] 'Euky Dwarf' is grown as a street and garden tree, growing to a height of 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall and 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) wide. [25] Subspecies leucoxylon has been recommended for larger gardens and parklands. [26] A variety known as Euky Dwarf is very popular as a street and garden tree, growing around 5–6m in height. [25]

Related Research Articles

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

Eucalyptus pauciflora, commonly known as snow gum, cabbage gum or white sally, is a species of tree or mallee that is native to eastern Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped to elliptical leaves, flower buds in clusters of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped, conical or hemispherical fruit. It is widespread and locally common in woodland in cold sites above 700 m (2,300 ft) altitude.

<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 sideroxylon</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus sideroxylon, commonly known as mugga ironbark, or red ironbark is a small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has dark, deeply furrowed ironbark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white, red, pink or creamy yellow flowers and cup-shaped to shortened spherical fruit.

<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 macrorhyncha</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, commonly known as the red stringybark, is a species of medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, stringy, grey to brown bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus radiata, commonly known as the narrow-leaved peppermint or Forth River peppermint, is a species of tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous to flaky bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth grey bark on the thinner branches, lance-shaped to curved or almost linear leaves, flower buds in groups of eleven to twenty or more, white flowers and cup-shaped, hemispherical or shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus goniocalyx, commonly known as long-leaved box, olive-barked box or bundy, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to southeastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, cylindrical or barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus cinerea, commonly known as the Argyle apple, mealy stringbark or silver dollar tree, is a species of small- to medium-sized tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the trunk and branches, usually only juvenile, glaucous, egg-shaped evergreen leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and conical to bell-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus baueriana, commonly known as blue box or round-leaved box, is a tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the trunk and branches, egg-shaped adult leaves, oval to diamond-shaped flower buds arranged in groups of seven, white flowers and conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus tricarpa, commonly known as red ironbark or mugga ironbark, is a species of tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has thick, rough ironbark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of three, white flowers and cylindrical or spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus polyanthemos, commonly known as red box, is a species of small to medium-sized tree, that is native to eastern Australia but has been introduced into other countries. It has fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth greyish to cream-coloured bark above, or smooth bark throughout. It has broadly egg-shaped to round juvenile leaves, lance-shaped, egg-shaped or almost round adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and barrel-shaped to conical fruit.

<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>Eucalyptus globulus <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> maidenii</i> Subspecies of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii, commonly known as Maiden's gum, is a subspecies of tree that is endemic to southeastern Australia. It has mostly smooth bark with some persistent slabs of old bark at the base, juvenile leaves with one glaucous side, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of seven, white flowers and conical, pedicellate, sometimes glaucous fruit that is more or less square in cross-section

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

Eucalyptus camphora, commonly known as swamp gum is a flowering plant that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a species of small to medium-sized tree with smooth bark, sometimes rough at the base, broadly lance-shaped to egg-shaped or elliptic adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical fruit. There are two subspecies, subspecies camphora, commonly known as broad-leaved sally or swamp gum and subspecies humeana, commonly known as mountain swamp gum.

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

Eucalyptus mannifera, commonly known as the brittle gum or red spotted gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has smooth, powdery white bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, hemispherical or conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus socialis, commonly known as the red mallee, or grey mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to inland Australia.

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. acerina, commonly known as snow gum, is a mallee or small tree that is endemic to a small area of Victoria, Australia. It has smooth, shiny bark, glossy green lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and hemispherical or conical fruit. It differs from other subspecies of E. pauciflora in having a dense crown and no parts that are glaucous.

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. hedraia, commonly known as snow gum, is a mallee or small tree that is endemic to a small area of Victoria, Australia. It has smooth bark, branchlets that are often glaucous, glossy green lance-shaped to egg-shaped or elliptical adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between eleven and fifteen, white flowers and hemispherical or cup-shaped fruit. It differs from other subspecies of E. pauciflora in having larger, sessile, glaucous buds and broader, hemispherical fruit.

<i>Eucalyptus pauciflora <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> niphophila</i> Subspecies of plant

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila, commonly known as snow gum, is a small tree or large shrub that is native to a few mountain peaks in eastern Australia. It has smooth bark, glossy green, lance-shaped to egg-shaped or elliptical leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped, hemispherical or conical fruit. It differs from other subspecies of E. pauciflora in having more delicate, pedicellate flower buds and smaller leaves.

<i>Eucalyptus pauciflora <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> pauciflora</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora, commonly known as snow gum, cabbage gum or white sally is a tree or mallee that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has smooth bark, glossy green, lance-shaped, curved or elliptical leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped, hemispherical or conical fruit.

References

  1. ↑ Collingwood, T.; Fensham, R.; Laffineur, B. (2019). "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T131215202A133032003. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T131215202A133032003.en . Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. leucoxylon". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  5. 1 2 Brooker, M. Ian H.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  7. ↑ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1855). "Description of fifty new Australian plants, chiefly from the colony of Victoria". Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science. 1: 33–34. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  8. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". APNI. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  9. 1 2 Stearn, William t. (1992). Botanical Latin: history, grammar, syntax, terminology, and vocabulary (4th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN   0881923214.
  10. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. bellarinensis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  11. 1 2 K. Rule (1998). "A new, rare Victorian subspecies of Eucalyptus leucoxylon F.Muell" (PDF). Muelleria . 11: 133–136. doi:10.5962/P.198414. ISSN   0077-1813. Wikidata   Q104007369.
  12. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. connata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  13. ↑ Messina, Andre; Stajsic, Val. "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. connata (Melbourne yellow gum)". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  14. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. leucoxylon". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  15. ↑ Brooker, M. Ian H.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. leucoxylon". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  16. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. megalocarpa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  17. ↑ Brooker, M. Ian H.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. megalocarpa". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  18. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon var. pluriflora". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  19. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. pruinosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  20. ↑ Brooker, M. Ian H.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. pruinosa". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  21. ↑ Brooker. M. I. H.; Kleinig, D. A. (2006). Field Guide to Eucalypts: Volume 1 South Eastern Australia. Bloomings Books. ISBN   1876473525.
  22. ↑ Boland, D.J., Brophy, J.J., and A.P.N. House, Eucalyptus Leaf Oils, 1991, ISBN   0-909605-69-6
  23. ↑ Brooker, M.I.H. & Kleinig, D.A. Field Guide to Eucalyptus, Bloomings, Melbourne 2001
  24. ↑ "Eucalyptus leucoxylon". Australian Native Plants Society, Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  25. 1 2 "Eucalyptus Euky Dwarf". Austraflora. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  26. ↑ "South Australian blue gum". State Flora. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
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