Stringybark
A stringybark is a type of eucalyptus tree that has thick, stringy bark. All stringybarks are part of the myrtle (Myrtaceae) family.
Name
[change | change source]The names "stringybark" and "eucalyptus" come from a tree found during Captain James Cook's third trip to Bruny Island near Tasmania. A specimen of the tree was sent to the British Museum in London. In 1788, a French botanist, Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle, named it Eucalyptus obliqua. This tree is also called "messmate stringybark" and is the main example for all eucalyptus trees. It has thick, stringy bark on its trunk, which is why it is called stringybark. The reason for the name "messmate" is not known, and it is used for other eucalyptus trees too.[1]
Description
[change | change source]"Stringybark" is a simple name for many eucalyptus trees with thick, stringy bark.[2]
In very good soil, some stringybark trees like the messmate stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua), can grow very tall, over 90 m (300 ft).[2] Usually, stringybarks are medium-sized trees between 10–40 m (33–131 ft) tall.[source?] The name "stringybark" is just a common name and does not mean these trees are closely related. For example, Eucalyptus obliqua is not closely related to other stringybarks because its seed pods (called gumnuts) look different.[3] Also, Eucalyptus acmenoides is part of a different group called "mahogany" because its gumnuts are different, even though its bark is a bit stringy.[4]
Use
[change | change source]For thousands of years, Aboriginal Australians have used stringybark trees for many things, including medicine.[5]
The Worimi people from the coast of New South Wales used stringybark trees to make canoes called "Kuueeyung".[2]
In northern Australia, the Yolngu people use some stringybark trees for painting, like Eucalyptus tetradonta, which they call "Gaḏayka".[6][7]
Early European settlers often used stringybark bark to build roofs and walls for their huts.
Types
[change | change source]
There are many kinds of stringybark trees, such as:
- Blue-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus agglomerata)
- Brown stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri, Eucalyptus laevopinea)
- Darwin stringybark or messmate (Eucalyptus tetrodonta)
- Mealy or silver stringybark (Eucalyptus cephalocarpa)
- Narrow-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus tenella)
- Messmate stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua or Eucalyptus tetrodonta)
- Privet-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus ligustrina)
- Red stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha)
- Thin-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus eugenioides)
- Tindale's stringybark (Eucalyptus tindaliae)
- White stringybark (Eucalyptus globoidea, also called Eucalyptus oblonga)
- Wollemi stringybark (Eucalyptus expressa)
- Yellow stringybark (Eucalyptus acmenoides, Eucalyptus muelleriana, Eucalyptus umbra)
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Moore, Gregory (2 November 2018), Gabriele, Madeleine (ed.), Stringybark is tough as boots (and gave us the word 'Eucalyptus'), The Conversation, doi:10.64628/aa.7yp4dya4p
- 1 2 3 "Stringy Bark". NewcastleMuseum. 26 December 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ↑ Forest Trees of Australia, D. J. Boland et al. 1992 ISBN 0-909605-57-2 page 302
- ↑ Forest Trees of Australia, D. J. Boland et al. 1992 ISBN 0-909605-57-2 page 270
- ↑ "Medicinal Properties of Eucalypts". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ↑ "Larrakitj 'Mittji' by Mr. Wanambi". Powerhouse Collection. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ↑ "Yolŋu Sea Country". Living Knowledge. Retrieved 5 January 2026.