Eucalyptus pauciflora

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Snow gum
Snow Gum.jpg
Eucalyptus pauciflora near Thredbo
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. pauciflora
Binomial name
Eucalyptus pauciflora
Synonyms [1]
Synonyms
  • Eucalyptus coriacea Schauer
  • Eucalyptus coriaceaSchauer var. coriacea
  • Eucalyptus phlebophylla F.Muell. nom. inval., nom. nud.
  • Eucalyptus phlebophyllaF.Muell. ex Miq.
  • Eucalyptus submultiplinervisMiq.
  • Eucalyptus sylvicultrixF.Muell. ex Benth. nom. inval., pro syn.
Trunk in Kosciuszko National Park SnowGumTrunk.jpg
Trunk in Kosciuszko National Park
Flower buds and flowers Eucalyptus pauciflora1.jpg
Flower buds and flowers

Eucalyptus pauciflora, commonly known as snow gum, cabbage gum or white sally, [2] 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.

Contents

Description

Eucalyptus pauciflora is a tree or mallee, that typically grows to a height of 20–30 m (66–98 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has smooth white, grey or yellow bark that is shed in ribbons and sometimes has insect scribbles. Young plants and coppice regrowth have dull, bluish green or glaucous, broadly lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaves that are 44–170 mm (1.7–6.7 in) long and 20–85 mm (0.79–3.35 in) wide. Adult leaves are the same shade of glossy green on both sides, lance-shaped to curved or elliptical, 60–200 mm (2.4–7.9 in) long and 12–50 mm (0.47–1.97 in) wide, tapering to a petiole 8–33 mm (0.31–1.30 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in cluster of between seven and fifteen, sometimes more, on an unbranched peduncle 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) long, the individual buds on pedicels up to 6 mm (0.24 in) long. Mature buds are oval, 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide with a conical to rounded operculum. Flowering occurs from October to February and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped, conical or hemispherical capsule 5–11 mm (0.20–0.43 in) long and wide. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy

Eucalyptus pauciflora was first formally described in 1827 by Kurt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel from an unpublished description by Franz Sieber. Sprengel published the description in Systema Vegetabilium . [6] [7] The specific epithet pauciflora is from the Latin pauciflorus meaning "few-flowered". [8] [9] The term pauciflora (few-flowered) is a misnomer, and may originate in an early collected specimen losing its buds in transit. [10]

Six subspecies are recognised by the Australian Plant Census as at 30 November 2019:

Distribution and habitat

Snow gum grows in woodland along the ranges and tablelands, in flat, cold sites above 700 m (2,300 ft) from the far south-east of Queensland, through New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria, to near Mount Gambier in South Australia and Tasmania. [16]

In Tasmania the species hybridises with Eucalyptus coccifera and Eucalyptus amygdalina . [17]

Ecology

Snow gum is amongst the hardiest of all eucalyptus species, surviving the severe winter temperatures of the Australian Alps. [10] The species regenerates from seed, by epicormic shoots below the bark, and from lignotubers. It is the most cold-tolerant species of eucalyptus, with E. pauciflora subsp. niphophila surviving temperatures down to −23 °C (−9 °F) and year-round frosts. It has been introduced to Norway. [18]

Influence on snowpack processes

At altitudes where stands of snow gum coincide with seasonal snowfall above an altitude of about 1,500 m (4,900 ft), the trees have been shown to increase snowpack accumulation and moderate melt, making snow gum critically important to the hydrology and water resources of southeast Australia. Contrary to characteristics of needle-leaf forests, snow gums don't frequently intercept large quantities of snowfall on branches and leaves such that increased evaporation or sublimation would occur. [19] As a result, snow accumulation is greater in living snow gum forests than burned forests or unforested areas. [19]

Bushfire impact on snow gums alters these effects and leads to reduced snowpack longevity and greater evaporation/sublimation processes, in turn reducing snowpack runoff available for ecosystem and human use. [20] [21] It is estimated that the 2019-2020 bushfires impacted 462 km2 (33%) of mapped snow gum forest that regularly has seasonal snowpack, which would equate to a reduction in annual snowpack runoff of 63.3 gigalitres (about 25,320 olympic swimming pools). [19]

Use in horticulture

In cultivation in the UK, Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila [22] and Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [23] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Related Research Articles

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

Eucalyptus delegatensis, commonly known as alpine ash, gum-topped stringybark, white-top and in Victoria as woollybutt, is a species of tree that is endemic to southeastern Australia. It has a straight trunk with rough, fibrous to stringy bark on the lower half of the trunk, smooth white bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and barrel-shaped or hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus camaldulensis, commonly known as the river red gum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a tree with smooth white or cream-coloured bark, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven or nine, white flowers and hemispherical fruit with the valves extending beyond the rim. A familiar and iconic tree, it is seen along many watercourses across inland Australia, providing shade in the extreme temperatures of central Australia.

<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 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 gunnii</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae

Eucalyptus gunnii, commonly known as cider gum, is a species of large tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to the island of Tasmania, Australia. It has mostly smooth bark, lance-shaped to egg-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and cylindrical to barrel-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 leucoxylon</i> Species of plant

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

<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 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> bicostata</i> Subspecies of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus subsp. bicostata, commonly known as the southern blue gum, eurabbie, blue gum or Victorian blue gum, is a subspecies of tree that is endemic to south-eastern 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 in groups of three, white flowers and hemispherical to conical fruit.

<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 eugenioides</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus eugenioides, commonly known as the thin-leaved stringybark or white stringybark, is a species of tree endemic to eastern Australia. It is a small to medium-sized tree with rough stringy bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, Flower buds in groups of between nine and fifteen, white flowers and hemispherical 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 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.

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

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei, commonly known as Jounama snow gum, is a mallee or small tree that is native to a few mountain peaks in south-eastern 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 angular flower buds.

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.

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. parvifructa is a mallee or small tree that is endemic to a small area of Victoria, Australia. It has smooth bark, slightly glaucous branchlets, glossy green, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of seven, white flowers and hemispherical or cup-shaped fruit. It differs from other subspecies of E. pauciflora in having a smaller habit and smaller leaves, flower buds and 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. 1 2 "Eucalyptus pauciflora". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Eucalyptus pauciflora". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus pauciflora". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  4. ↑ Brooker, M. Ian H.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus pauciflora". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  5. ↑ Hill, Ken. "Eucalyptus pauciflora". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora". APNI. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Sprengel, Kurt P.J. (1827). Curae Posteriores in Systema Vegetabilium (17 ed.). New York: Sumtibus Librariae Dieterichianae. p. 195. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  8. ↑ Allen J. Coombes The A to Z of Plant Names: A Quick Reference Guide to 4000 Garden Plants , p. 106, at Google Books
  9. ↑ D. Gledhill The Names of Plants , p. 220, at Google Books
  10. 1 2 "Eucalyptus pauciflora". Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. acerina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  12. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  13. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. hedraia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  14. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. parvifructa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  16. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieber ex Spreng". Atlas of Living Australia.
  17. ↑ Kirkpatrick, J.B.; Backhouse, Sue (2004). Native trees of Tasmania (7th ed.). Sandy Bay, TAS: Pandani Press. pp. 92–93. ISBN   0-646-43088-2.
  18. ↑ "Snow gum in Norway". Archived from the original on 2009-06-18.
  19. 1 2 3 Schwartz, Andrew; McGowan, Hamish; Callow, Nik (2021-08-11). "Influence of bushfire on accumulation and ablation of a marginal montane snowpack in Snow Gum forests". Journal of Hydrology. 603: 126795. Bibcode:2021JHyd..60326795S. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126795. ISSN   0022-1694.
  20. ↑ Schwartz, Andrew J.; McGowan, Hamish; Callow, Nik (2020-11-15). "Impact of fire on montane snowpack energy balance in Snow Gum forest stands". Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 294: 108164. Bibcode:2020AgFM..294j8164S. doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2020.108164. ISSN   0168-1923. S2CID   224841221.
  21. ↑ Schwartz, Andrew; McGowan, Hamish; Callow, Nik (2021-11-01). "Snowpack thermal patterns in pre- and post-bushfire Snow Gum forests". Journal of Hydrology. 602: 126789. Bibcode:2021JHyd..60226789S. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126789. ISSN   0022-1694.
  22. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila". RHS. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  23. ↑ "Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei". RHS. Retrieved 19 June 2020.

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