Eucalyptus saligna

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Sydney blue gum
Sydney Blue Gums Mount Cabrebald2.jpg
Blue gum forest at Mount Cabrebald
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. saligna
Binomial name
Eucalyptus saligna
Synonyms [2]
  • Eucalyptus salignaSm. subsp. saligna
  • Eucalyptus saligna var. protrusaBlakely & McKie
  • Eucalyptus salignaSm. var. saligna
Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna), Lilli Pilli NSW Australia Sydney Blue Gum (E.saligna).jpg
Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna), Lilli Pilli NSW Australia
Eucalyptus saligna with rough lower trunk bark Eucalyptus saligna.JPG
Eucalyptus saligna with rough lower trunk bark

Eucalyptus saligna, commonly known as the Sydney blue gum or blue gum, [3] is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, flaky bark near the base of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, nine or eleven, white flowers and cylindrical to conical or cup-shaped fruit.

Contents

Description

Eucalyptus saligna is a tree with a straight trunk that typically grows to a height of 30–55 m (98–180 ft), rarely to 65 m (213 ft), a dbh of 2–2.5 m (6 ft 7 in – 8 ft 2 in), and forms a lignotuber. The trunk has smooth pale grey or white bark with 1–4 m (3 ft 3 in – 13 ft 1 in) of rough brownish bark at the base. Young plants and coppice regrowth have lance-shaped to egg-shaped or oblong leaves that are paler on the lower surface, 37–120 mm (1.5–4.7 in) long and 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) wide. Adult leaves are arranged alternately, glossy green, paler on the lower surface, lance-shaped to curved, 90–190 mm (3.5–7.5 in) long and 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) wide, on a petiole 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of seven, nine or eleven on an unbranched peduncle 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long, the individual buds sessile or on pedicels up to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. Mature buds are spindle-shaped, oval or diamond-shaped, 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide with a conical or beaked operculum. Flowering occurs from December to March and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody cylindrical, conical or cup-shaped capsule 4–9 mm (0.16–0.35 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide with the valves protruding above the rim. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus saligna was first formally described in 1797 by English naturalist James Edward Smith in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London , and still bears its original name. [8] [9] The species name saligna refers to some likeness to a willow, though what attribute this is, is unclear. [6] It has been classified in the subgenus Symphyomyrtus, Section Latoangulatae, Series Transversae (eastern blue gums) by Ian Brooker and David Kleinig. Its two closest relatives are the flooded gum ( E. grandis ) and the mountain blue gum ( E. deanei ). [10]

Distribution and habitat

Sydney blue gum is generally found within 120 km (75 mi) of the coastline in its range from Sydney to Maryborough in central Queensland. To the northwest, it is found in disjunct populations in central Queensland, including in Eungella National Park, Kroombit Tops, Consuelo Tableland, Blackdown Tableland and Carnarvon Gorge. [6] It grows in tall forests in more sheltered areas, on clay or loam soils, and alluvial sands. [6] [5] It is a component of the endangered blue gum high forest ecological community in the Sydney region. [5] Populations found south of Sydney are now not considered to be E. saligna. [4]

Associated trees include blackbutt ( E. pilularis ), grey ironbark ( E. paniculata ), mountain blue gum ( E. deanei ), flooded gum (E. grandis), tallowwood ( E. microcorys ), thin-leaved stringybark ( E. eugenioides ), manna gum ( E. viminalis ), river peppermint ( E. elata ), grey gums ( E. punctata and E. propinqua ), rough-barked apple ( Angophora floribunda ), spotted gum ( Corymbia maculata ), turpentine ( Syncarpia glomulifera ), brush box ( Lophostemon confertus ) and forest oak ( Allocasuarina torulosa ). [6] [5]

South of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River, pure stands of E. saligna give way to hybrid populations with bangalay ( E. botryoides ). [5]

Ecology

Eucalyptus saligna regenerates by regrowing from epicormic buds on the trunk and lower branches after bushfire. Trees live for over two hundred years. The grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) eats the flowers, the koala (Phascalarctos cinereus) eats the leaves, and crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans) eats the seed. [5] The longhorn beetle species Paroplites australis , [11] Agrianome spinicollis and Tessaromma undatum have been recorded from the Sydney blue gum. [5]

The presence of the territorial and aggressive bell miner (Manorina melanophrys) and psyllid insects ( Glycaspis ) is correlated with dieback of the canopy of E. saligna, a syndrome which has been termed bell-miner-associated dieback (BMAD), though the exact mechanism remains unclear. [12] After colonization by Glycaspis , E. salinga may then be infested by the ambrosia beetle Amasa truncata . [13]

Uses

The wood of this species is heavy (about 850 kg/m3), fairly hard, coarse, even textured and reasonably easy to work. It is used for general building construction, panelling, and boatbuilding, and is highly prized for flooring and furniture because of its rich dark honey colour. [14]

Related Research Articles

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

Eucalyptus melliodora, commonly known as yellow box, honey box or yellow ironbark, is a species of medium-sized to occasionally tall tree that is endemic to south-eastern, continental Australia. It has rough, flaky or fibrous bark on part or all of the trunk, smooth greyish to yellowish bark above. The adult leaves are lance-shaped to egg-shaped, the flower buds are arranged in groups of seven and the fruit is more or less hemispherical.

<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 grandis</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus grandis, commonly known as the flooded gum or rose gum, is a tall tree with smooth bark, rough at the base fibrous or flaky, grey to grey-brown. At maturity, it reaches 50 metres tall, though the largest specimens can exceed 80 metres tall. It is found on coastal areas and sub-coastal ranges from Newcastle in New South Wales northwards to west of Daintree in Queensland, mainly on flat land and lower slopes, where it is the dominant tree of wet forests and on the margins of rainforests.

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

Eucalyptus moluccana, commonly known as the grey box, gum-topped box or terriyergro, is a medium-sized to tall tree with rough bark on part or all of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to barrel-shaped fruit. It is found in near-coastal areas of Queensland and New South Wales.

<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 elata</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus elata, commonly known as the river peppermint or river white gum, is a species of medium to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, compacted bark on the lower trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, green to yellow flower buds arranged in groups of eleven to thirty or more, white flowers and hemispherical or shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus botryoides, commonly known as the bangalay, bastard jarrah, woollybutt or southern mahogany, is a small to tall tree native to southeastern Australia. Reaching up to 40 metres high, it has rough bark on its trunk and branches. It is found on sandstone- or shale-based soils in open woodland, or on more sandy soils behind sand dunes. The white flowers appear in summer and autumn. It reproduces by resprouting from its woody lignotuber or epicormic buds after bushfire. E. botryoides hybridises with the Sydney blue gum in the Sydney region. The hard, durable wood has been used for panelling and flooring.

<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 pilularis</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as blackbutt, is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, finely fibrous greyish bark on the lower half of the trunk, smooth white, grey or cream-coloured bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and fifteen, white flowers and hemispherical or shortened spherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus notabilis, commonly known as Blue Mountains mahogany or mountain mahogany, is a species of small to medium-sized tree endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and hemispherical or conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus deanei, commonly known as mountain blue gum, round-leaved gum, or Deane's gum, is a species of large tree endemic to New South Wales. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped leaves that are paler on the lower surface, flower buds in groups of seven to eleven, white flowers and cup-shaped to bell-shaped 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 parramattensis</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus parramattensis, commonly known as the Parramatta red gum or drooping red gum, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to eastern New South Wales. It has smooth, mottled bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and hemispherical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus campanulata, commonly known as the New England blackbutt, gum-topped peppermint or New England ash, is a tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has rough, finely fibrous greyish bark on the trunk and larger branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of between eleven and fifteen, white flowers and cup-shaped to conical fruit.

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

Eucalyptus dawsonii, known as slaty gum or slaty box, is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to a small area of New South Wales. It has smooth, white, grey or yellow bark, sometimes with a short stocking of rough, flaky bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven on a branching inflorescence, white flowers and conical to barrel-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus badjensis, commonly known as the Big Badja gum, is a tree that is endemic to south-eastern New South Wales. It has hard, rough bark on the lower part of the trunk, smooth grey bark above, often hanging in strips on the upper branches, linear to narrow lance-shaped, often curved adult leaves, green to yellow buds in groups of three in leaf axils, white flowers and conical or bell-shaped fruit.

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

Eucalyptus dendromorpha, the Budawang ash or giant mallee ash is a species of tree endemic to southeastern Australia. It has rough, compacted bark on the lower part of the trunk, smooth white to cream-coloured bark above, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and cup-shaped or barrel-shaped 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 cadens</i> Species of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus cadens, commonly known as the tumble-down swamp gum or Warby Range swamp-gum is a small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to a small area in north-eastern Victoria, Australia. It has rough, compacted bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth bark above, narrow elliptic to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical fruit.

References

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  2. 1 2 "Eucalyptus saligna". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Eucalyptus saligna". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  4. 1 2 Hill, Ken. "Eucalyptus saligna". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1998). "Ecology of Sydney plant species:Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae". Cunninghamia. 5 (4): 926. Archived from the original on 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
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  7. Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus saligna". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  8. "Eucalyptus saligna". APNI. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  9. Smith, James Edward (1797). "Botanical Characters of Some Plants of the natural Order of Myrti". Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 3: 285–286. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  10. Brooker, M.I.H.; Kleinig, D. A. (1999). Field Guide to Eucalypts. Vol. 1: South-eastern Australia. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. pp. 69–72. ISBN   1-876473-03-7.
  11. Hawkeswood, Trevor J. (1992). "Review of the biology, host plants and immature stages of the Australian Cerambycidae (Coleoptera). Part 1, Parandrinae and Prioninae" (PDF). Giornale Italiano di Entomologia. 6: 207–24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 12-24-2011.
  12. Grant Wardell-Johnson; Christine Stone; Harry Recher; A. Jasmyn J. Lynch (2005). "Eucalypt dieback associated with bell miner habitat in south-eastern Australia" (PDF). Australian Forestry. 68 (4): 231–36. doi:10.1080/00049158.2005.10674970. hdl: 20.500.11937/43260 . S2CID   62827173. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2011-12-23. Retrieved 12-24-2011.
  13. H. D. Gerhold; R. E. Mcdermott; E. J. Schreiner (24 September 2013). Breeding Pest-Resistant Trees: Proceedings of a N.A.T.O. and N.S.F. Elsevier Science. ISBN   978-1-4831-5838-9.
  14. Bootle KR. (1983). Wood in Australia. Types, properties and uses. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Sydney. ISBN   0-07-451047-9