Eucalyptus gracilis

Yorrell
E. gracilis blossom and buds
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Myrtales
Family:Myrtaceae
Genus:Eucalyptus
Species: E. gracilis
Binomial name
Eucalyptus gracilis
Eucalyptus gracilis foliage and blossom

Eucalyptus gracilis, commonly known as kong mallee, yorrell, or snap and rattle, is a tree native to Australia, where it is found from southwestern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.[1][2]

Description

The open to spreading, multi-stemmed tree[2] typically grows to a height of 20 metres (70 ft) with rough brown bark at the base that becomes smooth and a coppery-creamy in colour above. It blooms between March and October producing creamy-white flowers.[3] The adult leaves are disjunct, glossy, green, concolorous and have a narrow-lanceolate shape. They are 5 to 8 centimetres (2.0 to 3.1 in) in length and 0.8 to 1.5 cm (0.31 to 0.59 in) wide. The inflorescences have seven-flowered umbellasters and a quadrangular peduncle that is 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) long on terete pedicels. The buds are clavate and approximately 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 in) long with a diameter of 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) diameter.[4]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described by the botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1854 as part of the work Second systematic index of the plants of Victoria. in Victoria – Parliamentary Papers – Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly.[5] The species name is the Latin adjective gracilis "slender", likely referring to its branches and habit.[6]

Common names include snap and rattle, red mallee, white mallee, yorrell, and kong mallee.[6][7]

Eucalyptus yilgarnensis was formerly considered a subspecies of this species.[6]

Distribution and habitat

It grows on sand dunes and plains, crests of rises and along creek lines in the south eastern Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia where it grows in sandy-clay-loamy soils over limestone.[3] It is found throughout most of southern and central South Australia and into Victoria[2] and south western New South Wales where it is found in mallee shrubland on red aeolian sands south from Yathong and west from West Wyalong.[4]

Cultivation

E. gracilis is often cultivated in open areas, wider verges, in parks and reserves and as a shelter wind-break or for erosion control. It is also known to be good for honey production. Nectar-eating birds and insects use it for food and habitat. The yellow-tailed black cockatoo consumes the seeds of this species.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "New South Wales Flora Online: Eucalyptus gracilis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Eucalyptus gracilis Yorrell". Plant Selector. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Eucalyptus gracilis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  4. 1 2 "Eucalyptus gracilis F.Muell". PlantNet. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "Eucalyptus gracilis F.Muell. (accepted name Eucalyptus gracilis)". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1992). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Vol. 4: Eu-Go. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. pp. 106–07. ISBN 0-85091-213-X.
  7. ↑ Dean Nicolle. "Native Eucalypts of South Australia". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.