Evergreen tree 6–20 m high, usually crooked or irregular, 30–100 cm in diameter. Bark gray or brackish, thick, fibrous, rough, not shedding. Leaves alternate, narrowly lanceolate, 6–20 cm long, 1–3 cm wide, acuminate apically, basally acute, not entire, glabrous, slightly thick, leathery, dull green, slightly paler underneath. Panicles mostly near ends of twigs, short, branched with slightly angled slender stalks ending in umbels of 3–7 short stalked fragrant flowers. Flowers very small, the bud 4–6 mm long. Stamens many, spreading, white, short, 3–4 mm long, anthers rounded with small round gland. Pistil with inferior 3–4-celled ovary and stout style. Capsules short-stalked, hemiglobose or turbinate, very small, 3–4.5 mm long and wide. Seeds many, tiny, 2 mm long, blackish (Little, 1983).
Flowering start in October and ends in January.
Identification
The main flower colour is yellow.
Uses
This tall tree, featured in the song, "Waltzing Matilda", produces one of the hardest and strongest timbers in the world. The wood is, however, difficult to work because of the interlocking grain. Unsuitable for construction, it makes durable poles and fence posts. Little (1983) suggests that the wood is suitable for bearings, bushings, bolts, shafts, frames, and wheel parts for heavy vehicles. The tree is esteemed for erosion control, shade and soil conservation in hot arid climates. Aborigines obtained water from the superficial roots, by cutting forearm-sized root segments, then holding them vertically, after debarking. Sometimes they blew into the distal portion to enhance the flow. Aborigines use the branch and leaf as a fish poison (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962).
References
https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Eucalyptus_microtheca.htmlCreated: 31 Oct 2014 - Stephen L (Clare) SA
Updated: 21 Nov 2014 - Member - John and Val
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