Eucalyptus robusta
Eucalyptus robusta
Eucalyptus robusta is a species of plant in the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae ). It occurs only on the east coast of New South Wales and southern Queensland, where it is called " Swamp mahogany " or " Swamp Messmate ".
Description
Appearance and leaf
Eucalyptus robusta grows as a tree reaching heights of growth of up to 25 meters. The bark remains on the entire tree is reddish brown, short fibers, thick and spongy.
In Eucalyptus robusta is available Heterophyllie. The leaves of young specimens are ovate and glossy green. The glossy dark green leaves of adult specimens with different colored top and bottom sides are broad - lanceolate and pinnately at a length of 10 to 17 cm and a width of 2.0 to 4.5 cm.
Inflorescence and flower
On a cross-section wide and shallow, 13 to 30 mm long inflorescence stem are about nine to fünfzehnblütige part inflorescences in total composite inflorescences. The stalk round flower stalk is 1-9 mm long. The spindle-shaped flower buds 16 to 24 mm long and have a diameter of 6 to 8 mm. The calyptra is oblong - pointed or beaked, as long and as wide as the flower cup ( hypanthium ). The flowers are creamy white.
The flowering period extends from May to July.
Fruit and seeds
The fruit is cylindrical with a length of 10 to 18 mm and a diameter of 6 mm to 11 mm. The disc is pressed, the fruit boxes are produced at the level of the edge or easily and are usually connected at the tips. The fruit ripens from May to October.
The seed is pyramid-shaped and brown. The hilum is constantly summit.
Ecology
Eucalyptus robusta can be at least 200 years old. After forest fires, it regenerates from " sheep end Knaspen " in the trunk. The Grey-headed flying fox feeds on its flowers and the koala from their leaves .. Eucalyptus robusta appears as one of the most important species of eucalyptus for the koalas in the Noosa Shire in Queensland. Even the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta hybrids x Eucalyptus tereticornis serve the koala as a feed. The Moschuslori feeds on the nectar of flowers.
Eucalyptus robusta is one of the most important Eucalyptus species in the central coast of New South Wales and the Illawarra region, where it is one of the few reliable in winter flowering species. The number of its sites was greatly reduced by deforestation. Some specimens individually standing in Robson Park in Haberfield, a suburb of Sydney, are the last remnants of the " Sydney Coastal Estuary Swamp Forest Complex " in the western suburbs of the city.
Occurrence
Eucalyptus robusta grows in swamps or on the banks of estuaries in a narrow strip along the eastern coast of Australia between Rockhampton in Queensland and Jervis Bay in New South Wales, rarely on the lower slopes of river valleys. One can find the way on off-shore islands such as Great Keppel Iceland, Iceland Moreton, North Stradbroke South Stradbroke Iceland and Iceland. Often the trees grow on heavy clay soils, but - especially on the islands - even on sandy loam or sandy soil.
Eucalyptus robusta grows in open woods, often in monoculture. Sometimes they can also be found along with Eucalyptus resinifera, Corymbia gummifera, Corymbia intermedia and Casuarina glauca, Eucalyptus tereticornis rarely also with. In its vicinity there is often Melaleuca ericifolia.
Taxonomy
Dei first herbarium specimens of Eucalyptus robusta were collected by John White, Expeditonsarzt the First Fleet and naturalist. James Edward Smith in 1793 led the first publication in his created together with George Shaw works Zoology and Botany of New Holland by. The 1795 work entitled A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland was reissued in Eucalyptus robusta is in Volume 4 on page 39 The epithet robusta is taken from the Latin and refers to the robust structure of the mature tree.
Eucalyptus robusta Sm are synonyms for Eucalyptus robusta var Bivalva Blakely, Eucalyptus robusta var bivalvis ( Blakely ) Blakely, Eucalyptus robusta Sm var robusta, Eucalyptus multiflora Poir. , Eucalyptus multiflora Poir. var multiflora, multiflora var Bivalva Eucalyptus Eucalyptus Blakely and multiflora var bivalvis Blakely.
Eucalyptus robusta forms where it is associated with Eucalyptus tereticornis, often a hybrid that was named Eucalyptus patentinervis RTBaker. Other less common hybrids are known.
Use
Eucalyptus robusta can be cultivated easily, but is often too large for private gardens. It was often planted as a street tree and provides in particular public areas with moist soils good services. The tree can grow very quickly and blooms profusely. In optimal conditions, Eucalyptus robusta can bloom in the third year after planting. Its flowers attract birds. In a few years their leaves are infested with cocoons and then do not look nice. A number of Eucalyptus robusta was planted in 1813 at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, and are still in good health.
2005 Australia was a cultivated form called Eucalyptus robusta 'Green and Gold' offered. It is smaller than the natural form and only reaches a height 5-8 meters.
Eucalyptus robusta was planted in plantations in many parts of the world, for example in Ethiopia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Fiji, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Cameroon, Kenya, Colombia, Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States. In Florida, the tree was first planted around 1880, in Hawaii in 1885 and in Puerto Rico in 1929.
In many countries, the timber of Eucalyptus robusta is used as firewood and for making charcoal. Eucalyptus robusta often serves to limit soil erosion, even on sand dunes, and provide shade along roads. In Uganda, it is also used for the drainage of swamps. Eucalyptus robusta grows at altitudes of up to 1,600 meters and in climates with annual temperatures from 3 to 35 ° C. The heartwood is extremely resistant. It is used for the construction of wharves and fences. The wood is light reddish brown textured and coarse. Its specific gravity varies 655-925 kg / m³.