Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. bellarinensis
| Bellarine yellow gum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. leucoxylon |
| Subspecies: | E. l. subsp. bellarinensis |
| Trinomial name | |
| Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. bellarinensis Rule[1] | |
Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. bellarinensis, commonly known as Bellarine yellow gum, is a subspecies of yellow gum that is endemic to the Bellarine Peninsula of southern Victoria, south-eastern Australia.[2]
Description
The Bellarine yellow gum is a small tree, growing up to 12 m in height, with fibrous, grey bark at its base and a smooth upper trunk. It has waxy and opposite juvenile leaves, globular buds which are often prominently beaked, and large, round fruits on stalks that are longer than the fruits.[2] It produces cream-coloured flowers in April and May that provide an important source of nectar for wildlife when little else is flowering.[3] It grows on heavy clay soils that are waterlogged in winter and subject to salt-laden coastal winds.[2]
Status and conservation
Land clearing since European settlement has made this subspecies endangered in Victoria, and it is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.[2] Once widespread on the peninsula, it now mainly occurs as isolated, scattered trees.[3]
References
- ↑ Rule, K. (1998). "A new, rare Victorian subspecies of Eucalyptus leucoxylon F. Muell.". Muelleria. 11: 133–136.
- 1 2 3 4 "Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum" (PDF). Corangamite Region Guidelines. Corangamite Seed Supply and Revegetation Network. 2005. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- 1 2 Longmore, Sue; Smithyman, Steve; Crawley, Matt (2010). Inland Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula. Bellarine Catchment Network.