Eucalyptus elata
River peppermint | |
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Eucalyptus elata, Melbourne | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Eucalyptus |
Species: | E. elata |
Binomial name | |
Eucalyptus elata Dehnh. | |
E. elata, field distribution | |
Synonyms | |
Eucalyptus amygdalina var. numerosa |
Eucalyptus elata, River peppermint, River white gum, is a medium to tall tree with rough bark on the lower trunk, compact with narrow longitudinal fissures, dark grey, shedding above in long ribbons, often remaining in the crown, to leave a smooth, grey, cream or whitish surface.
Adult leaves are green disjunct, stalked, with a narrow-lanceolate to lanceolate shape and a blade that is around 12 centimetres (4.7 in) in length and 2.8 cm (1.10 in) wide.
White flowers appear in spring to summer. Followed by globose fruits that are hemispherical to ovoid in shape.
Distribution occurs on the central tablelands and southern coastal ranges of New South Wales and adjacent areas in Victoria.
E. elata is widely cultivated as a street and ornamental tree for its beautiful upper smooth bark, rich green foliage and profusion of flowers that appear in spherical masses.[1]
E. elata is more suited to water logged soil then most other varieties of Eucalyptus grown in the ACT, Australia region and surrounds.
The leaves have been distilled commercially for a piperitone based essential oil.[2]
References