Eucalyptus cambageana

Eucalyptus cambageana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species: E. cambageana
Binomial name
Eucalyptus cambageana[1]
Maiden

Eucalyptus cambageana, commonly known as the Dawson River blackbutt or Coowarra box, is a species of eucalypt native to eastern Australia.[1]

Joseph Maiden described Eucalyptus cambageana in 1913, the type specimen was collected in 1912 from Mirtna Station near Charters Towers in Queensland.[1] He named it in honour of surveyor and botanist Richard Hind Cambage.[2]

Eucalyptus cambageana reaches heights of 15 to 25 m with a spreading crown of 5–15 m, and a single straight trunk. The lower trunk has rough dark grey tessellated bark while the branches have smooth pale bark. The dull grey-green adult leaves are lanceolate, measuring 10–18 cm long by 2–3 cm wide, and are arranged alternately along the stems. In contrast, juvenile leaves are 8–15 cm long by 2.5–3.5 cm wide, and almost oppositely arranged.[2]

Appearing over December and January, the white flowers occur in groups of 3 to 7 umbellate flowerheads. Each measures 0.8 cm in diameter.[2]

The range is across central Queensland.[2] It grows in scrubland or open woodland with brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), and wilga (Geijera parviflora).[3] These open woodland communities where it is co-dominant with brigalow are found on clay,[4] alluvial,[5] or sedimentary soils.[6]

In central Queensland, the presence of Eucalyptus cambageana is an indicator of sodic soil, which has implications for agriculture in the region.[7]

The heavy reddish-brown timber is used for fence posts in the local area.[2] It grows into too large a tree for gardens in general, but its contrasting bark give it horticultural potential for parks and acreage.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus cambageana Maiden". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. (1986). "Eu-Go". In Eliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. 4. Lothian Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 0-85091-213-X.
  3. "Flora – Queensland – Central West". Len Webb Ecological Images Collection. Griffith University. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  4. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 10.4.3". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  5. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 10.3.3". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  6. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 11.9.1". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  7. Irvine, S.A.; Doughton, J.A. (2001). "Salinity and Sodicity, Implications for Farmers in Central Queensland". Australian Society of Agronomy. The Regional Institute Ltd. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eucalyptus cambageana.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 5/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.