Eucalyptus spathulata

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Swamp mallet
Eucalyptus spathulata.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. spathulata
Binomial name
Eucalyptus spathulata
Synonyms [1]

Eucalyptus occidentalis var. spathulata(Hook.) Maiden

Contents

flower buds and flowers Eucalyptus spathulata buds.jpg
flower buds and flowers
capsules Eucalyptus spathulata (7596790270).jpg
capsules

Eucalyptus spathulata, commonly known as swamp mallet, narrow leaved gimlet or swamp gimlet, [2] is a species of mallet that is endemic to Western Australia. It has a dense crown, smooth, satin-like bark, glossy green, linear leaves, flower buds in groups of three or seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to conical fruit.

Description

Eucalyptus spathulata is a low-branching mallet with a dense crown that typically grows to a height of 8–12 m (26–39 ft) but does not form a lignotuber. The trunk usually has a diameter of 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in–6 ft 7 in) but can be even larger for older trees, and it is usually relatively short, sometimes fluted at the base. The bark is smooth, satin-like, greyish brown or reddish brown on the trunk and branches. Young plants have linear leaves that are 35–50 mm (1.4–2.0 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide and sessile or have a short petiole. Adult leaves are linear, the same shade of glossy green on both sides, 35–95 mm (1.4–3.7 in) long and 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) wide, tapering to a petiole 1–7 mm (0.039–0.276 in) long. The flowers are arranged in leaf axils in groups of three or seven on an unbranched peduncle 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) long, the individual buds on pedicels 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) long. Mature buds are oval to spindle-shaped, 10–13 mm (0.39–0.51 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide with a horn-shaped or conical operculum two or three times as long as the floral cup. Flowering occurs between December and March and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody cup-shaped to conical capsule 3–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide with the valves near rim level. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus spathulata was formally described in 1844 by botanist William Jackson Hooker in his book Icones Plantarum , from specimens collected near the Swan River by James Drummond. [6] [7] The specific epithet (spathulata) is from the Latin word spathulatus, meaning spoon-like or a broad rounded upper part tapering gradually downward into a stalk. Why the name was chosen is unknown. [2]

Two subspecies are recognised by the Australian Plant Census:

Distribution and habitat

Swamp mallet is found on flats, broad valley floors, on rises, in and around saline depressions and along the edges of salt lakes in the southern Wheatbelt and inland Great Southern regions of Western Australia where it grows in sandy or sandy-clay soils over granite. [3] Subspecies spathulata is found in the Blackwood River and Pallinup River drainage systems. Subspecies salina is restricted to the more northerly Salt River catchment. [10]

The species grows in woodland communities with an understorey that contains a variety of melaleuca species including M. acuminata , M. pauperiflora , M. lateriflora , M. brophyi and M. uncinata group. Other associated species include Bossiaea halophila , Gahnia ancistrophylla and Brachyscome lineariloba , all well suited to calcareous, saline low-lying areas. [11]

Conservation status

Subspecies spathulata is classified as "not threatened" in Western Australia by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife, [12] but subspecies salina is listed as "Priority Three", [13] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat. [14]

Use in horticulture

Eucalyptus spathulata has a high to moderate growth rate and can live to over 15 years. It is widely cultivated in southern Australia and can be grown in saline and poorly drained situations. The tree's wood is dense, hard and pale brown in colour and can be used as a source of fuelwood and craftwood. It is planted in gardens as an ornamental and as a windbreak, and produces pollen desirable for apiculture. The bark is rich in tannin and the leaves contain cineole. The tree is both drought and frost tolerant and can withstand salt laden winds. [15] The tree has also been cultivated in California. [2]

See also

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eucalyptus georgei, commonly known as Hyden blue gum, is a species of tree or mallet that is endemic to Western Australia. It has smooth bark, glossy green, lance-shaped adult leaves, glaucous flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, creamy white flowers and conical to cup-shaped fruit.

Eucalyptus mimica is a species of mallet that is endemic to a small area of Western Australia. It has smooth, shiny bark, linear to narrow elliptical leaves held erect, flower buds in groups of three and conical fruit with ribbed sides.

Eucalyptus ravida is a species of small mallet that is endemic to Western Australia. It has smooth, shiny bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to hemispherical fruit.

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

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Eucalyptus suggrandis is a species of mallee that is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has smooth, shiny bark, linear to elliptical leaves, flower buds in groups of three or seven, creamy white flowers and cup-shaped to conical fruit.

Eucalyptus vegrandis, commonly known as the Ongerup 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>Eucalyptus densa</i> Species of eucalyptus

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

Eucalyptus diversifolia, commonly known as the soap mallee, coastal white mallee, South Australian coastal mallee, or coast gum is a species of mallee that is endemic to an area along the southern coast of Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white to creamy yellow flowers and cup-shaped fruit.

Eucalyptus alipes is a mallet that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has smooth grey to light brown or bronze bark, linear to narrow elliptic leaves, oval to spindle-shaped buds with a long, narrow operculum and conical fruits.

Eucalyptus distuberosa is a species of mallet that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has smooth dark grey to tan-coloured or creamy white bark, glossy dark green, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to conical fruit.

References

  1. 1 2 "Eucalyptus spathulata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Donald R. Hodel (2011). "Trees in the landscape, Part 2: Eucalyptus spathulata" (PDF). Western Arborist. University of California . Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Eucalyptus spathulata". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  4. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  5. ↑ Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus spathulata". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata". APNI. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Hooker, William Jackson (1844). Icones Plantarum. London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown Green & Longman. p. 611. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  8. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata subsp. salina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  9. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata subsp. spathulata<". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  10. 1 2 Nicolle, Dean; Brooker, Ian (2005). "Reassessment of the saline-dwelling Eucalyptus spathulata complex (Myrtaceae) from southern Western Australia" (PDF). Nuytsia. 15 (3): 405–409. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  11. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata (Swamp Mallet) woodland". Wheatbelt Woodlands. Department of Environment and Conservation . Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata subsp. spathulata". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  13. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata subsp. salina". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  14. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Eucalyptus spathulata (Swamp Mallet)". Westgrow Tree Farms. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
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