Nunniong gum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. elaeophloia
Binomial name
Eucalyptus elaeophloia
Synonyms

Eucalyptus sp. (Brumby Point)

Eucalyptus elaeophloia, commonly known as Nunniong gum[2] or olive mallee,[3] is a species of tree or mallee that is endemic to a restricted area in Victoria. It has mostly smooth greenish to greyish bark, glossy green, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three, white flowers and conical or hemispherical fruit.

Description

Eucalyptus elaeophloia is a tree or mallee that typically grows to a height of 4–12 m (13–39 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has smooth greenish to greyish bark, sometimes with rough bark at the base. Young plants and coppice regrowth have most leaves arranged in opposite pairs, elliptical to egg-shaped or almost round, 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) wide. Adult leaves are arranged alternately, glossy green, lance-shaped to egg-shaped or curved, 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) wide on a flattened petiole 8–20 mm (0.31–0.79 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of three on an unbranched peduncle 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long, the individual buds sessile. Mature buds are oval, 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide with a conical operculum. Flowering occurs in March and the flowers are white. The fruit is a sessile, woody, conical or hemispherical capsule 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide with the valves extended well beyond the rim of the fruit.[2][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Eucalyptus elaeophloia was first formally described in 1990 by Jennifer Chappill, Michael Crisp and Suzanne Prober in the journal Australian Systematic Botany. The type material was collected in 1987 from Brumby Point in the Alpine National Park.[6] The specific epithet (elaeophloia) is derived from the ancient Greek word elaia meaning "olive",[7] referring to the greenish colour of the bark.[2]

This species is closely related to Eucalyptus imlayensis which occurs in New South Wales.[5]

Distribution

Nunniong gum is only known from the Nunniong Plateau.[4]

Due to widespread bushfires in 2003, the known habitat of the species was completely burnt, however most individuals have since resprouted from trunks and lignotubers.[5]

Conservation status

This species is listed as "vulnerable" on the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Advisory List of Rare Or Threatened Plants In Victoria.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Eucalyptus elaeophloia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Eucalyptus elaeophloia". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Advisroy list of rare or threatened plants in Victoria - 2014" (PDF). The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  4. 1 2 Brooker, M. Ian V.; Slee, Andrew V. "Eucalyptus elaeophloia". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Nicolle, Dean (2006). Eucalypts of Victoria and Tasmania. Bloomings Books. p. 92. ISBN 1-876473-60-6.
  6. ↑ "Eucalyptus elaeophloia". APNI. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  7. ↑ "A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
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