MYRTACEAE

Eucalypts

Note: The eucalypts are a very large group undergoing much active research. Many new species are being described from centres of activity in Sydney (Johnson & Hill), Melbourne (Ladiges et al.), and Canberra (Brooker). There are therefore many recent names published in the scientific journals that are not yet to be found in book format. The Brooker and Kleinig field guides are nevertheless the books of choice for broad geographic coverage.

Bale, C.L. Eucalypts and angophoras of the north coast of New South Wales : a key to the indigenous species. Botany Department, University of New England,1992. (39 pp.)

Brooker, M.I.H. & D.A. Kleinig Field guide to eucalypts Vols. 1, 2. Inkata Press. [Vol. 1 (1983) covers the area south-east of the Darling-Murray river system, incl. Tasmania; vol. 2 (1990) covers eremaean NSW, South Australia, and the southern half of WA. Vol. 3 (in prep.) will cover the tropics and the remainder of the eremaean. Excellent guide to eucalypts; colour plates for each species, showing flowers, buds, fruits, whole tree, etc. Also keys to species, short descriptions, glossary.]

McMahon, D.S. Eucalypts for enthusiasts - a guide to the identification of eucalypts found in south-eastern Australia. (Self-publ. by author, Fitzroy, Vic.) 1990. [Pocket-sized field guide, with semi-pictorial friendly keys to the species. Fairly up to date. Good line drawings of buds and fruits.]

Pryor, L.D. Australian endangered species: eucalypts. Austr. Nat. Parks & Wildlife Service, Special Publ. no 5, 1981. [Black and white photos (whole tree) only.]

Williams, J.B. New England eucalypts - a key to the indigenous species. UNE Press, 1985. (28 pp.) [Very usable key, well-illustrated with line drawings. Gives common name, scientific name, and brief information on habitat and distribution within the zone. Terminal key leads include a concise description of the species. All 55 species are illustrated.]

Myrtaceae : non-Eucalypts

Blake, T.L. A guide to Darwinia and Homoranthus. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Maroondah Group, 1981. (88 pp.) [Descriptions and supplementary information, including historical and cultivation notes. Many line drawings and some colour plates.]

Holliday, I. A field guide to Melaleucas. Hamlyn, 1989. [Covers about 2/3 of the species, with some bias towards those more commonly cultivated. Colour photos of all those dealt with.]

Thompson, J. A revision of the genus Leptospermum (Myrtaceae). Telopea 3 (3):301-448, 1989. [A fairly technical paper, with an overview of the distribution and morphology of the group, keys to species, and species descriptions. This and other back issues of this journal are available from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.]

Wrigley, J.W. & M. Fagg Bottlebrushes, paperbarks & tea trees - and all other plants in the Leptospermum alliance. Angus & Roberston, 1993. (352 pp.) [A good concise roundup of the leptospermoid members of the family. Short introductory chapters on the family, the alliance, and cultivation; these are followed by a listing of all known species (and cultivars or ornamental hybrids). The genus profiles are useful. Each species is given a one-paragraph description and brief notes on cultivation, plus derivation of name and conservation code. Distribution information is inadequate, being limited in most cases to a dot on a map of Australia. Selected species are illustrated with very good colour photos. No identification keys.]