Eucalyptus dealbata
| Tumbledown red gum | |
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| Species: | E. dealbata
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| Binomial name | |
| Eucalyptus dealbata | |
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Eucalyptus tereticornis var. dealbata [1] | |
Eucalyptus dealbata, known as the tumbledown red gum, is a eucalyptus tree of the slopes and plains of New South Wales and adjacent areas in Queensland and Victoria.[2]
Taxonomy
Eucalyptus dealbata was described by Cunningham and Schauer.
Description
This fast growing species can reach around 15 metres. It is often multi stemmed trunked which is crooked or straglly. It has smooth, white and grey or grey brown bark which sheds in large plates or flakes. Adult leaves are 7–12 cm long, 1.5–3.5 cm wide, and are grey-green or glaucous in colour. It has white flowers that usually form groups of 7.[1][3][4]
Distribution and habitat
The Tumbledown Red Gum is a tree that inhabits rocky slopes. It is particularly well suited to skeletal volcanic soils, usually on ridges, rises and escarrpments.[5]
It is similar to two other red gums, Blakely’s Red Gum (Eucalyptus blakelyi) and Dwyer’s Mallee Gum (Eucalyptus dwyeri).[3]
Uses
The NSW Department of Primary Industries considers that it provides useful medium level cover in windbreaks; can be useful for recharge control plantings; and has potential for woodlot plantings. More commonly it is a valuable wildlife habitat, providing nectar and pollen for native birds and insects. The wood is fairly durable; used for fenceposts where suitable and firewood. It is a good quality honey tree.[3]
References
- ^ a b "PlantNET - FloraOnline". Nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Search: SPECIES: Eucalyptus dealbata - Occurrence records - Australia's Virtual Herbarium". Ala.org.au. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ a b c "Tumbledown Red Gum" (PDF). Dpi.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Eucalyptus dealbata - Tumbledown Red Gum". Australiaplants.com. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Eucalyptus dealbata. tumble-down red gum". Diversitynativeseeds.com.au. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
Further reading
- A Field Guide to Eucalypts. Vol. (Volume I). Brooker & Kleinig. ISBN 0-909605-62-9.