Eucalyptus fasciculosa, commonly known as pink gum, hill gum or scrub gum,[2][3] is a species of small tree that is endemic to southern Australia. It has mostly smooth, light grey to pinkish bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and conical to barrel-shaped fruit.
| Pink gum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eucalyptus fasciculosa at Victor Harbour | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. fasciculosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Eucalyptus fasciculosa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Eucalyptus paniculata var. fasciculosa (F.Muell.) Benth. | |
Description
Eucalyptus fasciculosa is a tree with a single stem, rarely a mallee, and typically grows to a height of 10–15 m (33–49 ft) and a width of 12 metres (39 ft). It has smooth, off-white to slaty blue bark that is shed in flakes, sometimes with rough flaky bark near the base. Young plants and coppice regrowth have egg-shaped, petiolate leaves 35–85 mm (1.4–3.3 in) long and 15–58 mm (0.59–2.28 in) wide. The adult leaves are arranged alternately, thick, the same glossy green to blue-green on both sides, 80–130 mm (3.1–5.1 in) long and 13–35 mm (0.51–1.38 in) wide on a petiole 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) long. The flower buds are arranged on the ends of stems on a branching peduncle 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long, the individual buds on pedicels 2–7 mm (0.079–0.276 in) long. Mature buds are oval to diamond-shaped, 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide with a conical operculum. Flowering has been recorded in most months between March and December and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, conical to barrel-shaped capsule 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) wide with the valves below rim level. The seeds are grey to red-brown , irregularly shaped and slightly flattened.[2][3][4][5][6]
Taxonomy and naming
Eucalyptus fasciculosa was first formally described in 1855 by Ferdinand von Mueller in the Transactions and Proceedings of the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science.[7][8] The specific epithet (fasciculosa) is derived from the Latin word fascis meaning "bundle", "packet" or "sheaf",[9] possibly referring to the flower bundles on the ends of the stems.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Pink gum grows in woodland or as an emergent low shrubland on soil of low fertility. It is mainly found in the south-east of South Australia, in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Barossa Valley and on Kangaroo Island. It also occurs in the far south west of Victoria.[6][2] The canopy is not dense and other plants are able to grow in the dappled shade provided by the tree. The species is very similar in appearance to Eucalyptus leucoxylon.[10]
Use in horticulture
This eucalypt has a moderate growth rate and is able to tolerate low rainfall, moderate wind, including second-line salt wind and light frost.[11] It is planted for as an ornamental tree in gardens, parks and as a street tree.[10]