Eucalyptus nitens

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Shining gum
Eucalyptus nitens New England National Park.jpg
Eucalyptus nitens - New England National Park, NSW
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. nitens
Binomial name
Eucalyptus nitens
(H.Deane & Maiden) Maiden [1]
Synonyms [1]

Eucalyptus goniocalyx var. nitensH.Deane & Maiden

Eucalyptus nitens, commonly known as shining gum or silvertop, [2] is a species of tall tree native to Victoria and eastern New South Wales. It has smooth greyish bark, sometimes with thin, rough bark near the base, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven or nine, white flowers and cup-shaped, barrel-shaped or cylindrical fruit. It grows in wet forests and rainforest margins on fertile soils in cool, high-rainfall areas.

Contents

Description

Eucalyptus nitens is a tree that typically grows to a height of 70 m (230 ft), sometimes to 90 m (300 ft) in Victoria, and does not form a lignotuber. It has smooth white, grey or yellow bark, often with persistent, rough, fibrous or flaky greyish bark near the base. The smooth bark is shed in long ribbons. Young plants have sessile leaves arranged in opposite pairs, lance-shaped to egg-shaped or heart-shaped, 65–110 mm (2.6–4.3 in) long and 28–55 mm (1.1–2.2 in) wide with stem-clasping bases. Adult leaves are lance-shaped to curved, glossy green, sometimes slightly paler on the lower surface, 100–300 mm (3.9–11.8 in) long and 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) wide, tapering to a petiole 10–40 mm (0.39–1.57 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of seven on an unbranched peduncle 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long, the individual buds sessile. Mature buds are oval or cylindrical, 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide with a conical operculum that is the same width as the floral cup but shorter than it. Flowering occurs from January to March and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody cylindrical, cup-shaped or barrel-shaped capsule 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and wide with the valves near rim level. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Taxonomy and naming

Shining gum was first formally described in 1899 by Henry Deane and Joseph Maiden, who gave it the name Eucalyptus goniocalyx var. nitens and published the description in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales . [8] [9] In 1913, Maiden raised the variety to species status as E. nitens, publishing the change in his book, A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus. [10] [11] The specific epithet (nitens) is a Latin word meaning "shining", referring to the leaves, flower buds, fruit and bark of this species. [2]

Distribution

Eucalyptus nitens occurs in Victoria on ranges east and north-east of Melbourne at high altitudes on the east of the Great Dividing Range from the Blue Range, Mt Monda and Mt Torbreck eastwards. It is also found on the high tablelands and mountains of southern New South Wales. There are two widely disjunct populations at high altitude (around 1,500 m (4,900 ft)) at Barrington Tops and near Ebor in north eastern New South Wales. [12]

Uses

In Tasmania Eucalyptus nitens is one of the most important plantation tree species along with Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian blue gum) and Pinus radiata (Monterey pine). As of 2021, Tasmania had around 210,000 hectares of nitens plantations, established for use in pulp mills. After the closure of the mills, they have typically been exported as woodchips, although in the 2020s there have been efforts to create engineered wood products. [13] [14] The timber can be used in general construction but is beginning to be used in furniture where the discolourations may be a feature. [15]

Possible toxicity

Extracts from Eucalyptus nitens leaves have been found to be toxic to mollusc larvae. [16] However, this study did not compare the toxicity of Eucalyptus nitens with other species and it is not known if it is any more or less toxic than other eucalypts. Eucalyptus oil, which is extracted from the leaves of eucalypts, is known to be toxic and have antiseptic properties.

Toxicological studies (in six laboratories) reported on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Australian Story program Feb 2010 [16] [17] found that the surface scum (foam) collected from a river supplying water to a Tasmanian town kills water fleas, mollusc larvae and human cell lines, and it was reported on the same program that "a large increase in cancer sufferers and a lot of people with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus" might have the same cause. [17] However, studies commissioned by the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services found no reliable evidence that people who source water from this river are less healthy than people living elsewhere. [18] Furthermore, although the Australian Story programs implied that Eucalyptus nitens plantations were the source of the toxins (which initiated widespread claims that such plantations represented 'toxic plantations' or 'poisonous plantations'), foam samples from native forest catchments devoid of both plantations and Eucalyptus nitens had previously been found to be similarly toxic. [19] These natural toxins are highly concentrated (approximately 1400 fold) in river foam. [19]

The claims and all available scientific data relating to the issue were reviewed by an Environment Protection Authority appointed group (established by Premier Bartlett) of eminent scientists from the University of Tasmania, Griffith University, Monash University and CSIRO in the first half of 2010. [19] It was conclusively found by them that the water quality of the George River is of excellent standard, the cancer rates within the catchment are no higher than the Tasmanian average, and that any concern raised regarding the toxins in water foam was largely due to erroneous sampling techniques in the aforementioned toxicological studies. In June 2011 an internal ABC investigation found that the programs in question fell short of ABC editorial standards relating to contextual accuracy and balance. [20]

After the Australian Story went to air the Tasmanian Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor, had had an activated carbon purification system added to the St Helens water treatment plant. Dr Taylor stated at the time of its installation that "No scientific evidence has been presented to confirm the drinking water in St Helens was unsafe for human health before this precaution was taken". [21] The filter was not removed after the review panel published its report. [19]

The rebuttal of the George River Water's Panels deliberations on the scientists research and findings (NIWA's scientist, Dr Chris Hickey) sent to the ABC in July 2010 was posted on the ABC website at the time of the ABC's managing director's statement in June 2011.

Related Research Articles

<i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Species of tree endemic to southeastern Australia

Eucalyptus globulus, commonly known as southern blue gum or blue gum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is a tall, evergreen tree endemic to southeastern Australia. This Eucalyptus species has mostly smooth bark, juvenile leaves that are whitish and waxy on the lower surface, glossy green, lance-shaped adult leaves, glaucous, ribbed flower buds arranged singly or in groups of three or seven in leaf axils, white flowers and woody fruit.

<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 morrisbyi</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus morrisbyi, commonly known as Morrisby's gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to a restricted area of Tasmania. It has loose slabs of rough bark near the base of its trunk, smooth pale grey bark above, lance-shaped to egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and barrel-shaped or cylindrical fruit. It is only known in the wild from a few small populations but has been widely planted as an ornamental.

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

Eucalyptus obliqua, commonly known as messmate stringybark or messmate, but also known as brown top, brown top stringbark, stringybark or Tasmanian oak, is a species of tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, stringy or fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth greyish bark on the thinnest branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven to fifteen or more, white flowers and cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus ovata, commonly known as swamp gum or black gum, is a small to medium-sized tree species that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has mostly smooth bark, glossy green, lance-shaped to egg-shaped adult leaves, green flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to bell-shaped 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 dumosa</i> Species of plant

Eucalyptus dumosa, commonly known as the white mallee, dumosa mallee, or Congoo mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to south eastern Australia. It usually has rough, flaky grey bark on the lower trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, cylindrical or barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus perriniana, commonly known as spinning gum, is a tree or mallee which is native to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania. Spinning gum is a sub-alpine species and grows in areas which are normally snow covered for several months in winter. However domestic cultivars can grow in almost any temperate climate.

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

Eucalyptus rubida, commonly known as candlebark, ribbon gum or white gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has smooth bark, sometimes with rough bark at the base, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and cup-shaped, hemispherical or bell-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus fastigata, commonly known as brown barrel or cut-tail, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to southeastern Australia. It has fibrous or stringy bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of eleven or more, white flowers and conical or pair-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus imlayensis, commonly known as the Mount Imlay mallee, is a species of small, straggly mallee that is endemic to the far south east of New South Wales, only occurring near the summit of Mount Imlay. It has mostly smooth bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and cup-shaped, bell-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus propinqua, commonly known as the grey gum or small-fruited grey gum, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has smooth, mottled bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves that are paler on the lower surface, flower buds in groups of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and conical or hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus quadrangulata, commonly known as the white-topped box or coast white box, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus squamosa, commonly known as scaly bark, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to the Sydney region in New South Wales. It has rough, tessellated, fibrous or flaky bark, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, nine or eleven, white flowers and cup-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus kartzoffiana, commonly known as the Araluen gum, is a species of medium-sized tree that is endemic to a small area of southeastern New South Wales. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on part or most of its trunk, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and sessile, bell-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus benthamii, commonly known as Camden white gum, Bentham's gum, Nepean River gum, kayer-ro or durrum-by-ang, is a species of tree that is endemic to New South Wales. It has mostly smooth bluish grey or white bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, bell-shaped or conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus behriana, commonly known as bull mallee and broad-leaved box, is a species of mallee or small tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the lower part of the trunk and smooth bark above, broadly lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus denticulata, commonly known as the Errinundra shining gum or shining gum, is a species of tree endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has mostly smooth, white bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves with toothed edges, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, barrel-shaped or cylindrical fruits. It is similar to E. nitens and was previously included in that species.

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

Eucalyptus johnstonii, commonly known as Tasmanian yellow gum, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree endemic to Tasmania. It has smooth yellow to greenish bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and hemispherical or bell-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus subcrenulata, commonly known as Tasmanian alpine yellow gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to the highlands of Tasmania. It has smooth bark, glossy green, lance-shaped to egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and hemispherical to bell-shaped fruit. It is similar to E. johnstonii, E. vernicosa and E. urnigera.

References

  1. 1 2 "Eucalyptus nitens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus nitens". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Boland, D. J. et al.: Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood
  4. ↑ Brooker, M. I. H. & Kleinig, D. A. 2006: Field Guide to Eucalypts, Volume 1 South-eastern Australia. Bloomings Books, Melbourne
  5. ↑ Hill, Ken. "Eucalyptus nitens". Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  6. ↑ Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus nitens". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  7. ↑ Brooker, M. Ian H.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus nitens". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  8. ↑ "Eucalyptus goniocalyx var. nitens". APNI. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  9. ↑ Deane, Henry; Maiden, Joseph (1899). "Observation on the eucalypts of New South Wales, Part V". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 24 (3): 463. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  10. ↑ "Eucalyptus nitens". APNI. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  11. ↑ Maiden, Joseph (1913). A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus. Sydney: New South Wales Government Printer. pp. 272–274. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  12. ↑ Brooker, M. I. H. (M. Ian H.) (2006). Field guide to eucalypts. Kleinig, D. A. (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Bloomings Books. p. 188. ISBN   1876473525. OCLC   76889530.
  13. ↑ Bennett, Lachlan (11 September 2021). "Worth more than woodchips? Finding another future for Tasmania's eucalyptus nitens". ABC News.
  14. ↑ Breen, Fiona (9 August 2023). "Tasmania's first timber high-rise building taking shape on Launceston skyline". ABC News.
  15. ↑ VWA page Archived 2010-01-13 at the Wayback Machine Victorian Woodworkers Association
  16. 1 2 Australian Story staff. "Australian Story :: Something In The Water - Part 2". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  17. 1 2 Australian Story staff. "Australian Story :: Something In The Water - Part 1". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  18. ↑ Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services. "St Helens Drinking Water".
  19. 1 2 3 4 George River Water Quality Panel. "George River Water Quality Panel". Archived from the original on 2010-10-03. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  20. ↑ Mark Scott. "ABC Managing Directors summary".
  21. ↑ Taylor, Legge and Cash. "Update on St Helens drinking water".
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