An Introduction to the Eucalypts
[This information taken from - Chippendale, G.M. Eucalyptus. In: Chippendale, G.M. (1988). Flora of Australia Vol. 19, Myrtaceae, Eucalyptus, Angophora, Australian Government Publising Service, Canberra.]
Eucalyptus blakelyi Maiden
Reference:
Maiden, Crit. Revis. Eucalyptus 4: 43 (1917)
Type:
T: Pilliga scrub, 10-15 miles [16-24 km] from Coonabarabran towards Rocky Glen, N.S.W., 11 Aug. 1911, H.I.Jensen 129; holo: NSW.
E. blakelyi var. irrorata Blakely, Key Eucalypts 131 (1934). T: numerous syntypes cited, e.g. Tambaroora, N.S.W., 1 Aug. 1911, R.H.Cambage 1786; syn: NSW.
E. blakelyi var. parvifructa Blakely, Key Eucalypts 132 (1934). T: Wollongawah near Tumut, N.S.W., 15 Apr. 1932, W.A.W. de Beuzeville s.n.; holo: NSW; iso: FRI.
Illustrations:
S.Kelly et al., Eucalypts 1: t. 96 & 2: 83 (1983); M.I.H.Brooker & D.A.Kleinig, Field Guide to Eucalypts 1: 165 (1983); D.J.Boland et al., Forest Trees Australia 4th edn, 425 (1984).
Description:
Tree to 25 m. Bark smooth throughout, white or grey with grey-blue, pink or cream-yellow patches. Juvenile leaves ovate to suborbicular, grey-green, concolorous. Adult leaves lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, moderately thick lamina 9-16 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, green; lateral veins at 35°-50°; intramarginal vein up to 2 mm from margin; petiole ± terete, 15-22 mm long. Umbels 7-11-flowered; peduncle terete or angular, 7-19 mm long; pedicels 1-10 mm long. Buds conical, sometimes glaucous; operculum conical, 5-8 mm long, 3--5 mm wide; hypanthium hemispherical, 3-4 mm long, 3-5 mm wide. Fruits ovoid, subglobular or hemispherical, 4-7 mm long, 4-8 mm wide; disc broad, ascending; valves 3 or 4. Seeds brown-black.
Common Name:
Blakely's Red Gum.
Distribution:
Widespread in the eastern half of N.S.W. except on the coast, extending just into south-eastern Qld and north-eastern Vic., with an outlier near Pumphouse Springs, Qld. Grows in woodland and open forest.
Notes:
The wood is hard, strong and durable and has been used mainly in fencing.