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Eucalyptus robusta

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Swamp mahogany
Remnant E. robusta tree, Haberfield, NSW
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species:
E. robusta
Binomial name
Eucalyptus robusta
Synonyms[2]
  • Eucalyptus multiflora Poir.
  • Eucalyptus multiflora var. bivalva Blakely orth. var.
  • Eucalyptus multiflora var. bivalvis Blakely
  • Eucalyptus multiflora Poir. var. multiflora
  • Eucalyptus robusta var. bivalva Blakely orth. var.
  • Eucalyptus robusta var. bivalvis (Blakely) Blakely
  • Eucalyptus robusta Sm. var. robusta

Eucalyptus robusta, also called swamp mahogany or swamp messmate, is a tree from eastern Australia. It grows in wet, swampy soil and can grow up to 30 m (98 ft) tall. The tree has thick, soft reddish-brown bark and dark green, wide leaves that create a thick cover. It produces white to cream flowers in autumn and winter. Many insects eat the leaves, and koalas also eat them. This tree is important because it flowers in autumn and winter in eastern Australia. People have planted it in many countries. Its wood is used for firewood and building.

Description

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Eucalyptus robusta is a tall, straight tree that usually grows 20–30 metres (70–100 ft) high. Its trunk can be up to 1 metre (3.3 feet) wide at chest height. The trunk and branches have thick, red-brown bark that feels soft and spongy. The bark peels off in long strips. The branches spread out and make a thick cover with broad green leaves.

The leaves grow one by one along the stems. They are 10–16 centimetres (3.9–6.3 inches) long and 2.7 to 4.5 cm (1.1 to 1.8 in) wide. The leaves are green, shiny, and oval-shaped narrowing to a point at the end. They have many small side veins that look like feathers and run at a wide angle from the main vein.[3]

The tree has white or cream flowers that grow in groups of 7 to 13.[4] The flowers bloom from March to September, with the most flowers in May and June.[5] The flower buds are about 2 by 0.8 cm (0.79 by 0.31 in) wide. They have a long, pointed cap (operculum) that looks like a beak,[6] making the buds spindle-shaped.[7]

The fruits are woody and shaped like cylinders. They are 1 to 1.6 cm (0.39 to 0.63 in) long and 0.7 to 1.1 cm (0.28 to 0.43 in) wide. The fruits grow on small stalks and have three to four openings at the top. The seeds are light brown or yellow, about 1.8 mm (0.071 in) long, and shaped like small pyramids.[5][3]

A similar tree is the bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides). It has smaller flower buds with a cone-shaped cap and always grows flowers in groups of seven. Its fruits are smaller and grow without stalks.[6]

Taxonomy

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E. robusta by James Sowerby, from James Edward Smith's 1793 A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland

The first samples of Eucalyptus robusta were collected by John White, a surgeon and naturalist with the First Fleet. The species was described by James Edward Smithin 1793 in a book he worked on with George Shaw called Zoology and Botany of New Holland. Soon after, the same description was printed again in Smith's A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland, which is the version usually credited. Smith named the tree "robusta" because of its large size and strong build.[8]

The common name "swamp mahogany" comes from the tree’s usual home in swamps and because its wood looks like West Indies mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) wood. In Queensland, it is also called "swamp messmate."[4] Other names include "swamp stringybark,"[9] and old names like "Gulgong" and "Gnorpin."[10] In the United States, it is called "robusta eucalyptus," in Puerto Rico "beakpod eucalyptus,"[11] and in Swahili, it is called "mkaratusi."[12]

Eucalyptus robusta is part of a group of eight red-barked gum trees called red mahoganies, in a group named Annulares. It is closely related to the bangalay and red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera). It can be told apart from these by its bigger flowers and fruits. The red mahogany grows in drier places.[4]

Eucalyptus robusta often mixes with forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and the mixed plants are called Eucalyptus patentinervis.[7] It also forms hybrids with other species like bangalay, flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), woollybutt (Eucalyptus longifolia), and Bancroft's red gum (Eucalyptus bancroftii).[10]

Distribution and Habitat

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Eucalyptus robusta grows in swamps and near estuaries along a narrow coastal area, usually close to the ocean. It is found from Rockhampton in Queensland down to Jervis Bay in New South Wales. It also grows on some nearby islands like Great Keppel, Moreton, Fraser, and North and South Stradbroke Islands.[4]

People plant this tree a lot for its wood. However, it is considered an invasive species in places like Hawaii and Réunion,[13] and it has also spread naturally in Florida.[11]

The tree usually grows in heavy clay soils but can also be found in sandy clay[4] and alluvial sand soils.[5] It grows on sandy soils on offshore islands too.[4] It grows from sea level up to about 50 m (160 ft) above sea level. It prefers swamps or places where the water is close to the surface, usually fresh or slightly salty water.[4][5] Older trees can handle salty conditions, but young seedlings cannot. Eucalyptus robusta can grow in very acidic soils found in estuaries, with a pH as low as 2.5.[5]

This tree is a main species in swamp forests. It often grows alone or with other trees like red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera), red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), pink bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), swamp sheoak (Casuarina glauca),[4] snow-in-summer (Melaleuca linariifolia), swamp paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia),[5] and sometimes forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis).[4]

Conservation

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This tree is listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List. Its population has gone down by about 25.7% over the last three generations. Much of its natural habitat has been lost because cities and farms have taken over the land. The places where it still grows are often broken into small, separated areas.[1]

Ecology

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Eucalyptus robusta is a tree that can live for at least 200 years. After a bushfire, it can grow new shoots from [[buds on its trunk. Some animals eat parts of this tree: the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) eats its flowers, and the koala eats its leaves.[5] The musk lorikeet drinks nectar from its flowers.[14] The critically endangered swift parrot likes this tree too.[15] In New South Wales, especially on the Central Coast and Illawarra, it is one of the few trees that flowers in winter. Many of these trees have been lost because of land clearing. Some old trees in Robson Park, Sydney, are the last of a special swamp forest community.[16]

Many insects eat the leaves, like psyllids, Christmas beetles, and eucalyptus chafers (Xylonichus eucalypti). One type of psyllid, Glycaspis siliciflava, eats only this tree. Some insects, like Brachyscelis munita and Opisthoscelis pisiformis, make galls (small growths) on the tree. The double drummer cicada (Thopha saccata) lives in the tree, and larvae of some beetles live and grow in the bark.(Thopha saccata) The wood-moth (Aenetus splendens) makes a thick bag around a branch to lay eggs.[5] In Florida, the beetle Maecolaspis favosa attacks the leaves.[12]

In Madagascar, plantations of Eucalyptus robusta have many mushrooms, some of which people eat. Two types of Russula mushrooms – Russula prolifica and R. madecassense and some Cantharellus mushrooms are sold in markets. Russula prolifica has appeared only in the last 70 years and is not found in Australia.[17] In the Seychelles, Eucalyptus robusta trees have formed helpful relationships with local trees, sharing fungi that help them grow.[18]

Uses

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Tree planted 1813, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Eucalyptus robusta grows well when planted but can become too big for home gardens. It is often used as a street tree and is good for public places with wet soil. It grows fast and produces many flowers.[19] In good conditions, it can flower by its third year.[12] Its flowers provide important food for birds during autumn and winter.[20] Sometimes, its leaves get covered with insects called lerps, which can make the tree look less nice. A row of these trees was planted in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney in 1813, and they are still healthy today.[5]

There is a smaller variety called Eucalyptus robusta "Green and Gold" that was sold in Australia in 2005. This type grows only 5–8 metres (16–26 ft) tall.[21]

Eucalyptus robusta is grown in many parts of the world, from hot equatorial areas to cooler temperate zones. It grows quickly and can handle wet soil, making it a useful tree.[22] It is planted in many countries outside Australia, including Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, South Africa, the United States, and many more.[12] It was introduced to Florida around 1880, Hawaii around 1885, and Puerto Rico in 1929.

People use this tree for firewood and charcoal in many countries. It helps control erosion, grows on sand dunes, provides shade along roads, and in Uganda, it is used to drain swamps.[12] Trees grown in plantations are cut for firewood after 4–5 years, for pulp wood after 8–10 years, for poles after 15–20 years, and for logs used in sawing after 30–60 years.[22]

Eucalyptus robusta can grow up to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level. It can survive temperatures as low as 3 °C (37 °F) and as high as {convert|35|C|F}}.[12] Its heartwood is very strong and can resist damage from marine animals. The wood is used for building wharves and fences.[4] It is light reddish-brown and has a rough texture. The wood’s weight varies but averages about 38 pounds per cubic foot.[23]

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References

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  1. 1 2 Fensham, R.; Laffineur, B.; Collingwood, T. (2019). "Eucalyptus robusta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T61915765A61915774. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T61915765A61915774.en. Retrieved 24 May 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 "Eucalyptus robusta". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  3. 1 2 "EUCLID - Eucalyptus robusta". lucidcentral.org. Centre for Australian Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Boland, D. J.; et al. (2006) [1984]. Forest Trees of Australia (4th ed.). Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. p. 298. ISBN 0-643-06969-0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1998). "Ecology of Sydney plant species:Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae" (PDF). Cunninghamia. 5 (4): 926. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 12-24-2011.
  6. 1 2 Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District: An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 210. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.
  7. 1 2 Hill, Ken, NSW Flora Online, genus: Eucalyptus, species: robusta. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  8. ↑ Smith, James Edward (1793). A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland. London: James Sowerby.
  9. ↑ "Australian Plant Common Name Database". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 15 July 2007.
  10. 1 2 "Eucalyptus robusta". APNI. Retrieved 15 December 2019.[permanent dead link]
  11. 1 2 King, James R.; Skolmen, Roger G., Robusta Eucalyptus, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 World Agroforestry Centre. "Eucalyptus robusta". AgroForestryTree Database: A tree species reference and selection guide. PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia). Retrieved 11 April 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ↑ Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) Species info: Eucalyptus robusta. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
  14. ↑ Barker, Robin Dale; Vestjens, Wilhelmus Jacobus Maria (1984). The Food of Australian Birds: (I) Non-passerines. Melbourne University Press. pp. 347–48. ISBN 0-643-05007-8.
  15. ↑ Birdlife Australia. "Swift Parrot Identification Guide" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)[permanent dead link]
  16. ↑ Ashfield Council (2010). "State of the Environment Report 2009–2010" (PDF). Ashfield Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  17. ↑ Buyck, Bart (2008). "The Edible Mushrooms of Madagascar: An Evolving Enigma". Economic Botany. 62 (3): 509–20. Bibcode:2008EcBot..62..509B. doi:10.1007/s12231-008-9029-4. S2CID 39119949.
  18. ↑ Suvi, Triin (2010). Mycorrhizal fungi of native and introduced trees in the Seychelles Islands (PDF). Tartu University Press. ISBN 978-9949-19-297-7.
  19. ↑ Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1992). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Vol. 4: Eu-Go. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 198. ISBN 0-85091-213-X.
  20. ↑ "Swamp Mahogany Tree". Environment. northern beaches council. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  21. ↑ Burke, Don (2005). The Complete Burke's Backyard: The Ultimate Book of Fact Sheets. Murdoch Books. p. 338. ISBN 1-74045-739-0.
  22. 1 2 CABI (2013). The CABI Encyclopedia of Forest Trees. Wallingford Oxfordshire: CABI. pp. 189–91. ISBN 978-1-78064-236-9.
  23. ↑ Skolmen, Roger G. (1972). "Specific Gravity Variation in Robusta Eucalyptus Grown in Hawaii" (PDF). USDA Forest Research Paper (78): 1–7.

Other websites

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