Eucalyptus cambageana

Eucalyptus cambageana, commonly known as the Dawson River blackbutt, Dawson gum[2] or Coowarra box,[3] is a species of tree that is endemic to Queensland, Australia. It is a medium-sized tree with hard, rough bark on the lower trunk, smooth white to cream-coloured bark above, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to funnel-shaped fruit.

flower buds

Dawson River blackbutt
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. cambageana
Binomial name
Eucalyptus cambageana

Description

Eucalyptus cambageana is a tree that typically grows to a height of 25 m (82 ft) high and forms a lignotuber. The bark on the lowest 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in–9 ft 10 in) of the trunk is hard, rough, dark grey to black then abruptly changes above to smooth, white to grey bark. The leaves on young plants and coppice regrowth are egg-shaped, 70–145 mm (2.8–5.7 in) long and 30–63 mm (1.2–2.5 in) wide and dull bluish grey. Adult leaves are lance-shaped, sometimes curved, the same glossy green on both sides, 75–165 mm (3.0–6.5 in) long and 12–30 mm (0.5–1 in) wide on a petiole 10–27 mm (0.4–1 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven in leaf axils on a peduncle 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long, the individual flowers on a pedicel usually 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. Mature buds are oval, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 2–4 mm (0.079–0.16 in) wide with a conical to rounded operculum. Flowering occurs between July and September and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped to funnel-shaped capsule 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.2–0.2 in) wide with the valves enclosed below the rim.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus cambageana was first formally described in 1913 by Joseph Maiden described from a specimen collected in 1912 from Mirtna Station near Charters Towers.[5] The specific epithet (cambageana) honours surveyor and botanist Richard Hind Cambage.[4][6]

Distribution and habitat

Dawson River blackbutt is found from near Charleville, Charters Towers and Jericho to the coast of Queensland. It grows in scrubland or open woodland with brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), and wilga (Geijera parviflora). These open woodland communities where it is co-dominant with brigalow are found on clay, alluvial, or sedimentary soils.[3][7][8][9][10]

The presence of E. cambageana is an indicator of sodic soil, which has implications for agriculture in the region.[11]

Conservation

This eucalypt is classed as "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[12]

Uses

The heavy reddish-brown timber of this eucalypt is used for fence posts in the local area. It grows into too large a tree for gardens in general, but its contrasting bark give it horticultural potential for parks and acreage.[4]

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See also

References
  1. "Eucalyptus cambageana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  2. "Eucalyptus cambageana Dawson gum, Dawson River blackbutt". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  3. Chippendale, George M. "Eucalyptus cambageana". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  4. Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. (1986). "Eu-Go". In Eliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L. (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. 4. Lothian Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 0-85091-213-X.
  5. "Eucalyptus cambageana". APNI. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  6. Maiden, Joseph (1913). "Notes on Eucalyptus (with descriptions of new species) No. 1". Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. 47 (1): 91–94. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  7. "Flora – Queensland – Central West". Len Webb Ecological Images Collection. Griffith University. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  8. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 10.4.3". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  9. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 11.9.1". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  10. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2012). "Regional ecosystem details for 10.3.3". Wildlife and Ecosystems. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  11. 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.
  12. "Dawson gum – Eucalyptus cambageana". The State of Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
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