Eucalyptus oleosa

Last updated

Red mallee
Eucalyptus-oleosa-buds.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. oleosa
Binomial name
Eucalyptus oleosa
Synonyms [1]
  • Eucalyptus laurifoliaBlakely
  • Eucalyptus oleosa var. angustifoliaMaiden
  • Eucalyptus socialis var. laurifoliaF.Muell. ex Maiden
  • Eucalyptus turbinataBehr & F.Muell. ex Miq.
Habit Eucalyptus-oleosa-tree-2.jpg
Habit
Foliage Eucalyptus oleosa - Jardin Botanico de Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain - DSC08984.JPG
Foliage
In the Jardin Botanico de Barcelona Eucalyptus oleosa - Jardin Botanico de Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain - DSC08946.JPG
In the Jardín Botánico de Barcelona

Eucalyptus oleosa, commonly known as the red mallee, glossy-leaved red mallee, acorn mallee, [2] oil mallee [3] or giant mallee, [4] is a tree or mallee that is native to Australia. The leaves were once harvested for the production of cineole based eucalyptus oil. [5] Eucalyptus cneorifolia is now the predominant strain used in production due to a higher oil content in new growth.

Contents

Description

Eucalyptus oleosa is a multi-stemmed tree or mallee that typically grows to a height of 11 to 12 metres (36 to 39 ft) and has rough fibrous brown bark at the base that becomes smooth and grey above. It blooms between November and December producing yellow flowers. [4] The adult leaves are around 130 millimetres (5.1 in) in length and 19 mm (0.7 in) wide. They have a narrow-lanceolate to lanceolate shape and are glossy and green in colour. The flowers are arranged in leaf axils in groups of between seven and eleven. Smooth buds form later with a length of approximately to 10 mm (0.4 in) and a width of 4.5 mm (0.18 in). The bud-cap is cone-shaped to cylinder-shaped. Fruits are round-shaped with a diameter of about 7 mm (0.28 in) with a descending disc and 3 or 4 valves exserted with attenuate tips. The seeds are dark brown with an ovoid shape and a length of 2 mm (0.08 in). [6] [7] [8]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus oleosa was first formally described in 1856 by the Dutch botanist Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel from an unpublished description by Ferdinand von Mueller. Miquel's description was published in the journal Nederlandsch Kruidkundig Archief . [9] [10] The name oleosa comes from the Latin word oleosus meaning "full of oil" or "oily", referring to the adult leaves containing plenty of essential oils. [6] [11]

The species is similar to and formerly confused with E. socialis through misinterpretation of the type. Eucalyptus oleosa is readily distinguished in the field by the glossy green leaves. [3]

In 1999, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill described seven subspecies, four of which have been accepted by the Australian Plant Census: [12]

Distribution

Red mallee is one of the most widespread mallee species in Australia. [17] In Western Australia it is found on hills, sand plains, flats and gravel pits in the southern Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions growing in sandy or loamy soils often over limestone. [4] The species range extends east into most of southern and central South Australia and then into northern and eastern Victoria [6] [3] and south western New South Wales south of Coonbah and west of Koraleigh. It is often part of a codominant community of mallee shrubland on red aeolian sands. [7]

The species is associated with the western mallee subgroup and the chenopod mallee subgroup. The western mallee subgroup is characterised by several eucalypts including Eucalyptus eremophila , Eucalyptus moderata , Eucalyptus incrassata , Eucalyptus foecunda , Eucalyptus redunca and Eucalyptus uncinata . The understorey is predominantly shrubby with species of Melaleuca and Acacia along with the occasional Triodia . The chenopod mallee subgroup has E. oleosa along with other trees including Eucalyptus gracilis , Eucalyptus dumosa and Eucalyptus calycogona the understorey includes species of Maireana , Sclerolaena , Enchylaena , Chenopodium and Zygophyllum . [18]

Uses

Aside from Eucalyptus oil production E. oleosa is also suitable to produce large amounts of biomass, able to make 10 to 20 metric tons (11 to 22 short tons) per hectare per year. In wheatbelt regions it is also beneficial as the tree will reduce salinity, give shade to stock, act as a windbreak and reduce erosion. [17]

The seeds are sold for cultivation as a garden plant. The seeds germinate easily and the plant is known to be very hardy as well as salt, drought and frost resistant. It can be used as a hedge plant, shade tree and for honey production. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Eucalyptus eremophila, commonly known as the sand mallet or tall sand mallee, is a species of mallet that is endemic to semi-arid regions of Western Australia. It has smooth pale brown and greyish bark, narrow lance-shaped to elliptical adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of between seven and eleven with an elongated operculum, and cup-shaped to barrel-shaped fruit.

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

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<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 kochii</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus kochii, commonly known as oil mallee, is a species of mallee, sometimes a tree, and is endemic to Western Australia. It has rough, flaky or fibrous bark on the trunk, smooth grey bark above, linear to narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of nine to fifteen, white flowers and urn-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus flocktoniae, commonly known as merrit, is a species of tree or mallee that is endemic to Western Australia. It has smooth, silvery grey bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, prominently beaked flower buds in groups of seven or nine and barrel-shaped or urn-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus loxophleba, commonly known as York gum, daarwet, goatta, twotta or yandee, is a species of tree or mallee that is endemic to Western Australia. It has rough bark on the trunk, smooth olive to brownish bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flowers buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus porosa, commonly known as mallee box, Quorn mallee or water mallee, is a species of mallee or a tree that is endemic to southern Australia. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth greyish bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and barrel-shaped or shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus leptophylla, commonly known as the March mallee, slender-leaved red mallee or narrow-leaved red mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to inland Australia. It has smooth greyish bark, linear to narrow lance-shaped, oblong or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and thirteen, creamy white flowers and cup-shaped, barrel-shaped or hemispherical 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.

<i>Eucalyptus calycogona</i> Species of plant in Australia

Eucalyptus calycogona, commonly known as the gooseberry mallee or square fruited mallee, is a mallee that is endemic to southern Australia. It has smooth bark, narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds that are square in cross-section arranged in groups of seven in leaf axils, creamy white, sometimes pink flowers, and fruit that are square in cross-section.

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

Eucalyptus eremicola, commonly known as Vokes Hill mallee, is a species of mallee that is native to South Australia and Western Australia. It has rough bark near the base, smooth bark above, linear to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus leptocalyx, commonly known as Hopetoun mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to an area along the south coast of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, creamy white flowers and barrel-shaped to cylindrical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus mannensis, commonly known as Mann Range mallee, is a species of mallee that is native to Western Australia, South Australian and the Northern Territory. It has rough bark at the base of the trunk, smooth bark above, narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, creamy white flowers and hemispherical fruit.

Eucalyptus subangusta is a species of tree, mallee or mallet that is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, narrow lance-shaped leaves, flower buds in groups of up to nineteen, white flowers and cup-shaped to barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus uncinata, commonly known as the hook-leaved mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of nine to thirteen, creamy white flowers and barrel-shaped to oval or cylindrical fruit.

Eucalyptus vegrandis, commonly known as the Ongerup mallee or Cranbrook mallee, is a species of mallee that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, linear to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, creamy white flowers and cup-shaped or conical fruit.

<i>Corymbia eremaea</i> Species of plant

Corymbia eremaea, commonly known as mallee bloodwood, hill bloodwood and Centre Range bloodwood, is a small, mallee-like tree that is endemic to central Australia. Indigenous Australians know the plant as muur-muurpa. It has rough, evenly tessellated bark, lance-shaped leaves, oval to pear-shaped flower buds arranged on a branching peduncle and urn-shaped fruit.

Eucalyptus cajuputea, commonly known as the narrow-leaved peppermint box, is a tree or a mallee that is endemic to South Australia. It usually has rough, flaky bark on the trunk, linear to narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of seven to eleven, white flowers and smooth, cup-shaped to barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus socialis subsp. socialis, commonly known as the summer red mallee, is a subspecies of mallee that is endemic to inland south-eastern Australia. It usually has rough bark on the base of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, pale creamy white flowers and barrel-shaped to urn-shaped or spherical fruit.

References

  1. 1 2 "Eucalyptus oleosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. ↑ Dean Nicolle. "Native Eucalypts of South Australia" . Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus oleosa F.Muell. ex Miq. Oil Mallee". Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus oleosa". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. ↑ Boland, D.J., Brophy, J.J., and A.P.N. House, Eucalyptus Leaf Oils, 1991, ISBN   0-909605-69-6
  6. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus oleosa ssp. oleosa (Myrtaceae) Red Mallee". Seeds of South Australia. Government of South Australia . Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Eucalyptus oleosa F.Muell. ex Miq". PlantNet. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney . Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa". Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa". APNI. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  10. ↑ Miquel, Friedrich A.W. (1856). "Stirpes Novo-Hollandas a Ferd Mullero collectas determinavit". Nederlandsch Kruidkundig Archief 4(1). 4 (1): 127–128. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  11. ↑ Short, Emma; George, Alex (2014). A Primer of Botanical Latin with vocabulary. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. p. 219. ISBN   9781107693753.
  12. 1 2 Johnson, Lawrence A.S.; Hill, Kenneth D. (1999). "Systematic studies in the Eucalypts. 9. A review of series Sociales (Eucalyptus subgenus Symphyomyrtus, Section Bisectaria, Myrtaceae)". Telopea. 8 (2): 172–182. doi: 10.7751/telopea19993001 .
  13. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. ampliata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  14. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. corvina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. cylindroidea". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  16. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. oleosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Mallee". Biomass Producer. Australian Government. 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "Open mallee woodlands and sparse mallee woodlands" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia . Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "Eucalyptus oleosa Giant mallee, Red mallee, Red morrell". Windmill Outback Nursery. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
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