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 dives Schauer
Reference:
Schauer in W.G.Walpers, Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 926 (1843).
Type:
T: N of Bathurst, N.S.W., Dec. 1822, A.Cunningham 181; iso: BM, K, MEL.
E. amygdalina var. latifolia Deane & Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 20: 609 (1896). T: not designated; n.v.
Illustrations:
S.Kelly et al., Eucalypts 1: t. 176 (1983); M.I.H.Brooker & D.A.Kleinig, Field Guide to Eucalypts 1: 118 (1983); D.J.Boland et al., Forest Trees Australia 4th edn, 351 (1984).
Description:
Tree to 25 m. Bark fibrous, grey-brown on trunk and larger branches, then smooth and grey above. Juvenile leaves ovate, rarely connate, usually glaucous. Adult leaves broadly lanceolate, acuminate, thick; lamina 7-15 cm long, 1.6-3.3 cm wide, shining, green; lateral veins usually conspicuous, at 15°-30°; intramarginal vein up to 2 mm from margin; petiole terete, 10-16 mm long. Umbels with 11-15 or more flowers; peduncle terete or angular, 5-13 mm long; pedicels 2-5 mm long. Operculum hemispherical, apiculate or conical, 2-3 mm long and wide; hypanthium obconical or subpyriform, 3-4 mm long, 2-3 mm wide. Fruits hemispherical, obconical or subpyriform, 5-7 mm long, 4-7 mm wide; disc broad, level, convex or ascending; valves 3 or 4, level.
Common name:
Broad-leaved Peppermint.
Distribution:
Occurs widely on the central and southern tablelands, N.S.W. and A.C.T., and in central-eastern Vic., in open forest and woodland.
Notes:
Distinguished from related species by the thick, broad juvenile and adult leaves with a strong peppermint scent. Buds slightly longer than those of E. radiata. The wood has been used for local construction, but is not greatly durable; the leaves have been used, and still are in some areas, for oil distillation.