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 pauciflora Sieber ex Sprengel
subsp. niphophila (Maiden & Blakely) L.Johnson & Blaxell
Reference:
(Maiden & Blakely) L.Johnson & Blaxell, Contr. New South Wales Natl Herb. 4: 379 (1973).
Type:
E. niphophila Maiden & Blakely, Crit. Revis. Eucalyptus 8: 34 (1929); E. pauciflora var. alba Ewart, Fl. Victoria 837 (1930). T: Pretty Point, Mt Kosciusko, N.S.W., Jan. 1899, J.H.Maiden & W.Forsyth s.n.; holo: NSW.
Illustrations:
N.Hall & M.I.H.Brooker, Forest Tree Ser. No. 59 (1973); S.Kelly et al., Eucalypts 2: t. 182 (1983); M.I.H.Brooker & D.A.Kleinig, Field Guide to Eucalypts 1: 91 (1983).
Description:
Straggly small tree or shrub to 6 m, but sometimes only to 1 m. Juvenile leaves ovate, dull, blue green. Adult leaves broadly lanceolate to narrowly ovate, uncinate, thick; lamina 5-8 cm long, 1.2-2 cm wide, green to blue-green; intramarginal vein up to 1 mm from margin; petiole channelled, 10-20 mm long. Umbels usually 7-11-flowered; peduncle terete or angular, 6-10 mm long; pedicels absent or to 3 mm long. Buds clavate, glaucous; operculum hemispherical, 2-3 mm long, 4-6 mm wide; hypanthium obconical, sometimes angular, 6-8 mm long, 4-6 mm wide. Fruits hemispherical or subglobular, glaucous, 5-10 mm long, 6-9 mm wide; disc level; valves 3, included.
Common name:
Snow Gum.
Distribution:
Occurs in N.S.W. and Vic., to the altitudinal limit of tree growth in south-eastern Australia, on high plateaus or rounded mountain tops, mostly in pure stands.
Notes:
Distinguished by its shrubby or straggly habit, the glaucous buds and fruits, and its high altitudinal occurrence.