Eucalyptus leptophylla

March mallee
E. leptophylla habit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Myrtales
Family:Myrtaceae
Genus:Eucalyptus
Species: E. leptophylla
Binomial name
Eucalyptus leptophylla
E. leptophylla foliage

Eucalyptus leptophylla, commonly known as the march mallee,[1] slender-leaved red mallee[2] or narrow-leaved red mallee, is a tree native to inland Australia.[3]

Description

The mallee typically grows to 6 metres (20 ft)[3] can grow to as high as 10 metres (33 ft) and has smooth grey bark[4] that is persistent on the lower trunk that becomes a red-brown colour higher. The bark sheds in short ribbons. Adult leaves have a disjunct arrangement and are green, glossy and concolorous. The leaf blade has a linear or narrow-lanceolate and is 5 to 8 centimetres (2.0 to 3.1 in) long and 0.5 to 1 cm (0.20 to 0.39 in) wide.[3] It blooms between March and August and produces cream-white flowers.[4] The umbellasters are 7 to 13-flowered with a terete peduncle that is 0.6 to 1 cm (0.24 to 0.39 in) long and terete pedicels. Later it will form hemispherical or ovoid-truncate fruit that are 0.3 to 0.5 cm (0.12 to 0.20 in) long with about the same diameter.[3]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described by the botanist Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel in 1856 in the work Stirpes Novo-Hollandas a Ferd Mullero collectas determinavit published in Nederlandsch Kruidkundig Archief.[5]

The name Eucalyptus foecunda is often misapplied to this species, but E. foecunda only occurs in coastal areas of south-western Western Australia and has rougher bark.[6]

Distribution

E. leptophylla is found in low woodland a mallee scrubland growing in white, yellow or red sand or red-brown loam over gravel or granite. Found on rises, sometimes around salt lakes, on sand plains and near granite outcrops. It is distributed through southern Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia,[4] through South Australia, Victoria and in New South Wales from Wilcannia to West Wyalong.[3]

Cultivation

E. leptophylla is sold commercially is seed form or as seedlings. It grows at a moderate rate, prefers a full sun position and will grow in sandy and alkaline soils.[7] The plant is suitable as an ornamental tree, and also makes a good screen or windbreak. It will attract pollinating birds and is drought resistant.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Eucalyptus Leptophylla Narrow-leaved Red Mallee March Mallee". Tree Project Inc. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  2. ↑ Dean Nicolle. "Native Eucalypts of South Australia". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 K.Hill. "New South Wales Flora Online: Eucalyptus leptophylla". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  4. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus leptophylla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  5. ↑ "Eucalyptus leptophylla F.Muell. ex Miq". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus leptophylla F.Muell. ex Miq. Slender-leaf Mallee". Vicflora. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Eucalyptus leptophylla". ERA Nurseries. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Feature Trees". State Flora. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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