Eucalyptus preissiana
| Bell-fruited Mallee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eucalyptus preissiana | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. preissiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Eucalyptus preissiana | |
Eucalyptus preissiana, also known as Bell-fruited Mallee, is a small tree or shrub which occurs in an area between Albany and Esperance in Western Australia.[1]
Description
It is a mallee eucalyptus with smooth, grey bark that usually grows to between 2 and 3 m (6 ft 7 in and 9 ft 10 in) in height and has a sprawling habit.[1] It often has several thin trunks emerging from a lignotuber.[2] The leaves are large, ovate, thick and blunt-tipped. The flowers buds have rounded reddish-coloured caps and thick peduncles.[3] These open to reveal yellow flowers between August and November (late winter to late spring) in the species native range.[1] The fruits are large and bell-shaped.[3]
It can be cultivated in temperate areas of Australia but performs poorly in tropical environments. It is propagated from seeds and germinates easily. It prefers a position in full sun and in well-drained soils.[2]
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described by the botanist Johannes Conrad Schauer in 1844 as part of the work Myrtaceae. Plantae Preissianae.[4] The name of the species honours the plant collector Ludwig Preiss (1811 - 1883).[2] The type specimen was collected by Preiss near Cape Riche in 1840.[5]
Subspecies
There are currently two recognised subspecies of Eucalyptus preissiana:
- E. preissiana subsp. lobata Brooker & Slee
- E. preissiana Schauer subsp. preissiana[6]
Distribution
The mallee is found in coastal and sub-coastal areas among limestone and laterite and grows in gravelly sandy-clay soils. The species is found along the south coast in the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions as far west as Cranbrook, Jerramungup to the north and Esperance to the east.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Eucalyptus preissiana". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
- 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus preissiana". Australian Native Plants Society. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
- 1 2 Holliday, I.; Watton, G. (1980). A Gardener's Guide to Eucalypts. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 0727012576.
- ↑ "Eucalyptus preissiana Schauer". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
- ↑ "Eucalyptus preissiana". Eucalink. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
- ↑ "Eucalyptus preissiana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 13 July 2012.