Eucalyptus vernicosa

Last updated

Varnished gum
Eucalyptus vernicosa.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. vernicosa
Binomial name
Eucalyptus vernicosa
Foliage Eucalyptus vernicosa foliage.jpg
Foliage

Eucalyptus vernicosa, commonly known as varnished gum, [2] is a species of shrub or a mallee that is endemic to mountainous areas of Tasmania. It has smooth greyish bark, crowded, egg-shaped to elliptical or round leaves, flower buds singly or in groups of three in leaf axils, white flowers and hemispherical or bell-shaped fruit.

Contents

Description

Eucalyptus vernicosa is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 1 m (3 ft 3 in) or a mallee to 4 m (13 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has smooth grey or greyish brown bark. Young plants and coppice regrowth have crowded, sessile, glossy green, egg-shaped leaves that are 7–20 mm (0.28–0.79 in) long and 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) wide and arranged in opposite pairs. Adult leaves are crowded, glossy green, egg-shaped to elliptical or round, 10–32 mm (0.39–1.26 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.31–0.59 in) wide with a rounded base, on a petiole 1–8 mm (0.039–0.315 in) long, arranged in opposite pairs or alternately. The flower buds are arranged in groups of three in leaf axils on an unbranched peduncle up to 2 mm (0.079 in) long, the individual buds sessile or almost so. Sometimes two of the buds in a group are lost so the buds appear singly. Mature buds are oval, 8–9 mm (0.31–0.35 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide, greenish brown and finely wrinkled with a conical operculum that is shorter than the floral cup. Flowering occurs in most months, peaking from December to February and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody hemispherical or bell-shaped capsule 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long and 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) wide with the valves near rim level. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Taxonomy

Eucalyptus vernicosa was first formally described in 1847 by Joseph Dalton Hooker in William Jackson Hooker's London Journal of Botany from specimens collected by Ronald Campbell Gunn on "Mount Fatigue, altitude 4000 feet". [7] [8] A specimen of Actinotus bellidoides held in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, also collected on "Mount Fatigue" gives its location as "about 12 to 16 miles S.S.W. off [the St] Clair and about 4000 ft High [Van Dieman's Land]". [9] Mount Arrowsmith is found at approximately this location, and was named "Fatigue Hill" until 1855.[ citation needed ] The specific epithet is from the Latin word vernicosus meaning "varnished" or "shining", referring to the glossy appearance of the leaves. [10]

Distribution and habitat

Eucalyptus vernicosa is endemic to Tasmania, and is only found in alpine regions in the west to southwest, including Cradle Mountain. [5] It grows between 700m and 1350m above sea level, usually on peaty acid soils on top of quartzite or sandstone bedrock. [3] [11] It is usually found above the tree line, and can be a dominant component of alpine heath communities, along with Richea, Athrotaxis, and Orites. [12] This habitat typically has high average rainfall varying from 1000mm to 2500mm per year, and very cold winters with continuous frosts and snow for several months. [4] The harsh climate and nutritiously poor soils probably explain the small size and tough leaves. [13]

Eucalyptus vernicosa has been traditionally cited as an example of a morphological continuum with E. johnstonii , and E. subcrenulata . A study from Mount Arrowsmith showed a strong relationship within those three species, linking altitude with changes in glaucousness, leaf morphology, growth rates, habit, capsule shape, bark thickness and degree of frost resistance. It was suggested that they represented close relatives of one species that was diverging to adapt to an environmental cline. [13] However more recent genetic studies show that E. vernicosa is more distantly related to the E. johnstonii/E. subcrenulata complex, and the apparent morphological clinal intergradation between E. vernicosa and E. subcrenulata is probably a result of parallel evolution. [14]

Uses

Use in horticulture

A number of Tasmanian alpine Eucalypts, including E. vernicosa, are grown as ornamental trees and shrubs in Europe, and especially in the United Kingdom, due to their evergreen habit and similarity of climate. [15] [16]

Essential oils

In the early 20th century E. vernicosa was harvested for its oil, which was believed to have medicinal properties. [17]

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 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 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 coccifera</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus coccifera, commonly known as the Tasmanian snow gum, is a small to medium-sized tree endemic to Tasmania. It has smooth, grey and cream-coloured bark, elliptic to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between three and nine, usually white flowers and conical, hemispherical or cup-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus nitens, commonly known as shining gum or silvertop, 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.

<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 nitida</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus nitida, commonly known as the Smithton peppermint, is a species of tree or mallee that is endemic to Tasmania. It has varying amounts of loose, fibrous or flaky bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of nine to fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped to hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus risdonii, commonly known as the Risdon peppermint, is a species of small tree that is endemic to a small area in southern Tasmania. It has smooth bark, a crown composed mostly of sessile, glaucous, egg-shaped juvenile leaves arranged in opposite pairs. The flower buds are arranged in groups of between nine and fifteen and the fruit are cup-shaped, conical or hemispherical.

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

Eucalyptus brookeriana, commonly known as Brooker's gum, is a tree species that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the lower part of its trunk, smooth bark higher up, lance-shaped, egg-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds usually arranged in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped, conical or bell-shaped fruit.

<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 pulchella</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus pulchella, commonly known as the white peppermint or narrow-leaved peppermint, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to Tasmania. it has smooth bark, sometimes with rough fibrous bark on older trees, linear leaves, flower buds in groups of nine to twenty or more, white flowers and cup-shaped to shortened spherical 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.

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

Eucalyptus effusa, commonly known as rough-barked gimlet, is a species of mallee or small tree that is endemic to Western Australia. It has thin, rough bark on the base of the trunk, smooth bark above, linear to narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus yalatensis, commonly known as the Yalata mallee, is a species of mallee or a shrub that is endemic to southern Australia. It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the stems, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds mostly in groups of nine, creamy white or yellowish flowers and hemispherical to shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus urnigera, commonly known as urn tree, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to Tasmania. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped or elliptical leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and urn-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus, commonly known as the Tasmanian blue gum, southern blue gum, or blue 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, glossy, lance-shaped adult leaves, warty flower buds arranged singly in leaf axils, white flowers and hemispherical to conical fruit that is more or less square in cross-section.

Eucalyptus rodwayi, commonly known as the swamp peppermint, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to Tasmania. It has rough, fibrous to flaky bark on the trunk and branches, narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and conical to hemispherical fruit.

References

  1. ↑ "Eucalyptus vernicosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus vernicosa". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  3. 1 2 Curtis, Winifred; Morris, Dennis (1975). The Student's Flora of Tasmania: Part 1 (second ed.).
  4. 1 2 Kelly, Stan; Chippendale, George; Johnson, Doug (1983). Eucalypts: Volume 2. Thomas Nelson.
  5. 1 2 Page, Mary (1998). The Eucalypts of Tasmania.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus vernicosa". Cantre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "Eucalyptus vernicosa". APNI. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  8. ↑ Hooker, Joseph Dalton; Hooker, William Jackson (ed.) (1847). "Florae Tasmaniae Spicilegium: or, Contributions towards a Flora of Van Diemen's Land". London Journal of Botany. 6: 478–479. Retrieved 14 January 2020.{{cite journal}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
  9. ↑ "Kew Royal Botanical Gardens". Kew Botanical Gardens . Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  10. ↑ Wapstra, Mark; Wapstra, Annie; Wapstra, Hans (2010). Tasmanian Plant Names Unravelled. Fullers bookshop.
  11. ↑ Wiltshire, Rob; Potts, Brad (2007). Eucaflip.
  12. ↑ Williams, Jann; Woinarski, John (1997). Eucalypt Ecology: Individuals to Ecosystems. Cambridge University Press.
  13. 1 2 Reid, James; Hill, Robert; Brown, Michael; Hovenden, Mark (2005). Vegetation of Tasmania. Australian Biological Resources Study.
  14. ↑ McGowen, M. H.; Wiltshire, R. G. E.; Potts, B. M.; Vaillancourt, R. E. (November 2001). "The origin of Eucalyptus vernicosa, a unique shrub eucalypt". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 74 (3): 397–405. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2001.tb01401.x .
  15. ↑ "Eucalyptus Tree Section". Archived from the original on 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  16. ↑ "The National Collection of Eucalypts". Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  17. ↑ "Mark's Tasmanian Bush Blog: Hartz Peak - 3 November 2007". 2007-11-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.