Eucalyptus rhombica
| Eucalyptus rhombica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Eucalyptus rhombica near Karara | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. rhombica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eucalyptus rhombica | |
Eucalyptus rhombica is a small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to a small area of south-east Queensland. It has rough, ironbark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped or conical fruit.
Description
[edit]Eucalyptus rhombica is a tree that typically grows to a height of 20 m (66 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has rough grey or black ironbark on the trunk and larger branches, sometimes smooth bark on the thinner branches. Young plants and coppice regrowth have egg-shaped to broadly lance-shaped, dull bluish green leaves that are 65–100 mm (2.6–3.9 in) long and 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) wide and petiolate. Adult leaves are lance-shaped to broadly lance-shaped, the same shade of dull greyish green on both sides, 90–150 mm (3.5–5.9 in) long and 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) wide tapering to a petiole 15–27 mm (0.59–1.06 in) long. The flower buds are arranged on the ends of branchlets in groups of seven on a branched peduncle 10–25 m (33–82 ft) long, the individual buds on pedicels 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long. Mature buds are diamond-shaped, 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide with a conical operculum. Flowering occurs from September to March and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped or conical capsule 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long and wide with the valves near rim level.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
[edit]Eucalyptus rhombica was first formally described in 1994 by Anthony Bean and Ian Brooker in the journal Austrobaileya from material collected in the Hungry Hills State Forest near Ceratodus.[3][4] The specific epithet (rhombica) is from the Latin rhombicus, referring to the shape of the flower buds.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This eucalypt is restricted to three areas near Toowoomba, Gayndah and Taroom, where it grows in sandy soil.[2][3]
Conservation status
[edit]This eucalypt is listed as "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Eucalyptus rhombica". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Eucalyptus rhombica". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d Bean, Anthony R.; Brooker, M. Ian H. (1994). "Four new species of ironbark (Eucalyptus L'Hér., Myrtaceae) from southern Queensland". Austrobaileya. 4 (2): 187–188. JSTOR 41738851.
- ^ "Eucalyptus rhombica". APNI. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "Eucalyptus rhombica". WetlandInfo. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 November 2016.