EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide :: EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Recursos de Informacion sobre Cultivo Sostenible de Eucalyptus :: Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide

Eucalyptus morrisbyi: First time blooming in the UK

Tom Hart Dyke, worldwide plant hunter, creator of World Gardens and avid plant collector able to make Silver Princesses bloom strikes again with yet another horticultural success.

In the grounds of Lullingstone Castle, one of the rarest Eucalyptus species has bloomed for the first time to become the first acclimatized specimen of its kind in the UK.

(Click image to enlarge for a full print)

Back in 1999, while plant hunting in Tasmania, Tom carefully collected a small amount of seed from one of the rarest tree species in the island and one of the least common eucalypts in cultivation around the world, Eucalyptus morrisbyi. And from those seeds, these blooms.

The late "casual" discovery of the species by Robert Brett in 1939 and its scarcity in the wild had prevented it from becoming widely cultivated overseas, as it happens with more common eucalypts. This endangered endemism is nowadays at risk of disappearing in its natural habitat due to poor recruiting of new seedlings, genetic contamination, ocasional drought and browsing. Just some 2000 specimens of Morrisby's Gum are known to survive in wild populations, as its main habitat was cleared for other uses by early settlers many moons before the trees were discovered.

Fortunately, a keen interest from researchers at the School of Plant Science (UTAS) to work out the problems and outline solutions for conservation of this gum tree, plus a proper support from competent administrative bodies in Tasmania mean that E. morrisbyi is currently under the protective umbrella of a recovery plan. May it always be.

For cultivation overseas, like Tom, use respectfully collected seed, or better if sourced from ex situ plantings.

Interesting Literature

Threatened Species Section (2006). Flora Recovery Plan: Morrisby’s gum, Eucalyptus morrisbyi Year 2006-2010. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart. ISBN 0 7246 6354 1

Jones, RC; McKinnon, GE; Potts, BM & Vaillancourt, RE (2005) Genetic diversity and mating system of an endangered tree Eucalyptus morrisbyi. Australian Journal of Botany, 53 (4). pp. 367-377. ISSN 0067-1924

Jones, RC; McKinnon, GE; Wiltshire, RJE; Potts, BM & Vaillancourt, RE (2005) Conservation genetics of an endangered endemic, Eucalyptus morrisbyi. Advances in Plant Conservation Biology, implications for flora management and restoration : symposium program and abstracts 25-27 October 2005 / Dept. of Conservation & Land Management, Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority, Perth, Western Australia, pp. 29.

Wiltshire, RJE; Potts, BM & Reid, JB (1991) Phenetic affinities, variability and conservation status of a rare Tasmanian endemic, Eucalyptus morrisbyi R.G. Brett. In Banks, MR; Smith, SJ; Orchard, AE & Kantvilas, G. (Eds.) Aspects of Tasmanian Botany – A Tribute to Winifred Curtis. 31(3): 213-229. Royal Society of Tasmania, Hobart.

Brett, R.G. (1939). The description of a new eucalypt species. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1938: 129-130

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GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Eucalyptus Forests... down under (I)

Discovering Eucalyptus: Dru Sclerophyll Forests - Kalgoorlie, Western Australia - by Leif Stridvall / Descubriendo los eucaliptos: Bosques escleroficos secos - Kalgoorlie, Australia Occidental - por Leif Stridvall / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado -GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics: Information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Recursos de informacion sobre cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Dry Sclerophyll Eucalyptus Savannah (WA)

(Click image to enlarge)

"... Detesting, as I do, the whole tribe of gum trees, I never lose an opportunity of saying exactly what I think about this particularly odious representative of the brood, this eyesore, this grey-haired scarecrow, this reptile of a growth with which a pack of misguided enthusiasts have disfigured the entire Mediterranean basin..."

"These abominations may look better on their native heath: I sincerely hope they do."

Eucalyptus torquata - Coral Gum - Eucalipto de Coral - by Dan Anderson / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado - GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics: Information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Recursos de informacion sobre cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

"... the intruder should be expelled without mercy. A single eucalyptus will ruin the fairest landscape. No plant on earth rustles in such a horribly metallic fashion when the wind blows through those everlastingly withered branches; the noise chills one to the marrow; it is like the sibilant chattering of ghosts..."

Eucalyptus kruseana - Bookleaf Mallee - Eucalipto de Kruse - by Georgie Sharp / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado - GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics: Information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation worldwide / Recursos de informacion sobre cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

"But I confess that this ... almost reconciled me to the existence of the anaemic Antipodeans. ... Gazing upon them, my heart softened and I almost forgave the gums their manifold iniquities..."

Thanks to Leif & Anita Stridvall, Georgie Sharp & Dan @ Tree Species for their photographic contributions. And to Norman Douglas for softening.

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Pink flowered eucalypts blooming... in Florida

Swamp Bloodwood eucalypts: pink flowered tropical ornamentals
Notes on phenology and cultivation of Corymbia ptychocarpa (ex Eucalyptus ptychocarpa)

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado
GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

We have previously seen at EUCALYPTOLOGICS that one of the main ornamental features of Eucalyptus has to do with their flowers, their shapes, sizes and colours. Typical commonly cultivated species out of Australia usually have white stamens, and can be attractive both when individual flowers are of a big size, or when small sized flowers are well arranged in attractive clusters. But there are other possibilities with varying cold hardiness suitable for cultivation either in mediterranean, cold temperate or subtropical climates.

Corymbia ptychocarpa tropical ornamental eucalypt in bloom, Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida / Eucalipto ornamental tropical de flor roja, Leu Gardens / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Fig. 1: Pink flower detail for Corymbia ptychocarpa at Harry P. Leu Gardens. (Image courtesy Eric Schmidt, click to enlarge)

Swamp Bloodwoods have started blooming by October at Leu Gardens (Orlando, Florida), our friend Eric Schmidt, resident Botanical Records Specialist, reports. And this type of tree is exactly one of the nice possibilities for the ornamental use of red or pink flowering eucalypts in tropical or subtropical climates.

Fig. 2: Pink blooms in C. ptychocarpa ssp. ptychocarpa at Leu Gardens. (Image courtesy Eric Schmidt, click to enlarge)

With two main subspecies (ssp. ptychocarpa and ssp. aptycha), the natural habitat of this eucalypt is the Northern Coast of Australia, spanning scattered from QLD to WA. Temperatures here are mild day-long and year-long, frost is unheard of, and humidity levels are regularly high all over the year or at least there is a marked rainy season at some point.

Not surprisingly, this bloodwood eucalypt has become popular as a small tree in parks and gardens of the Northern Territory, where it is native and can bloom from February to June.

Fig. 3: Large broad adult leaves of C. ptychocarpa at Leu Gardens. (Image courtesy Eric Schmidt, click to enlarge)

So it is popular overseas. As Ester Foelkel reminds us, C. ptychocarpa is the main pink flowering eucalypt cultivated in alike climates of Brazil. And as we see at Leu Gardens, it can also thrive and bloom in the mildest areas of Florida even in its early years.

Fig. 4: Val Littlewood's botanical sketch of Leaf and Fruit of C. ptychocarpa at Leu Gardens (Orlando, FL). Click the image to visit Val's Pencil and Leaf weblog, depicting the flora and fauna at Leu!

It could probably acclimatize well also in not so subtropical climates, with a mediterranean or mild temperate tendence even, as long as absolute minimum temperatures never go below -3ºC (25ºF, equating to USDA Zone 10 or the mildest part of Zone 9) and water supply is abundant, but not excessive. Unlike its close relative species C. ficifolia, it should not be too comfortable in arid conditions. Proper microclimates would increase the chance of survival, and sunny and sheltered spots would increase the chances of early blooming.

Worth to test as described in suitable areas of the TRO (safe), MED1 (risky) or EUCF (risky) zones for Eucalyptus cultivation in Europe, especially wherever blooming C. ficifolia can be used as indicator species. Not in vain some of the most popular ornamental eucalypt hybrid cultivars are the result of crossing both species.

Also in EUCALYPTOLOGICS...

Spinning Gum, Eucalyptus perrininana flowering in Galicia, cold hardy ornamental eucalypt for cold temperate gardens / Eucalipto giratorio en floracion en Galicia, eucalipto resistente a las heladas para jardines atlanticos / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Eucaliptologics: Recursos de Informacion sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Spinning Gum (E. perriniana) blooming in Galicia (NW Spain).

Cold hardiness in Eucalyptus leucoxylon Rosea / Cold hardy Pink flower Eucalyptus in bloom / Resistencia al frio de Eucalipto leucoxylon / Eucalipto de flor roja en floracion / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, España / EUCALYPTOLOGICS

Pink flowered Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea' in bloom in the UK.
(Photo courtesy Matt Smith)

Wolgan Snow Gum Eucalyptus gregsoniana ex Eucalyptus pauciflora variety nana blooming at John Purse Eucalyptus collection in Kent, UK / Eucalipto de las Nieves de Wolgan floreciendo en la coleccion del Dr. John G. Purse, Primabio, http://www.primabio.co.uk / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics: Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Eucaliptologics: Recursos de Informacion sobre el Cultivo del Eucalipto en el Mundo

Snow Gums... in bloom

Discovering Eucalyptus: Anthesis (I) / Descubriendo los Eucalyptus: Antesis / Eucalyptus Botanical Art / Macro Photography / Brian Johnston, Toronto, Canada / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Anthesis in Eucalyptus robusta (Swamp Mahogany) flowers.
Photography by Brian Johnston (Click image to enlarge)

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting / Contact Eucalyptologics / Contacto GIT Forestry Consulting / Contacto Eucalyptologics / Lugo, Galicia, Spain, España

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Ornamental Eucalyptus: From Seedling to Bonsai

Spinning Gums... in bloom

Spinning Gum: cold hardy Eucalyptus from Alpine Australia
Notes on phenology and cultivation in cold temperate climates

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado

GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

Eucalyptus perriniana have started blooming in Galicia this year. A bit of delayed this time, as we have observed them blooming since early June in previous years, they remain eye catching in any season none the less.

Fig 1: Intermediate leaves and blooms of a Spinning Gum (E. perriniana) flowering in the Tablelands of Galicia (NW Spain). (Click image to enlarge)

First discovered in Tasmania by 1893 and named after forester George S. Perrin, the Spinning Gum or Eucalyptus perriniana is one of the examples of frost tolerant Eucalyptus having unique ornamental features. Its vernacular name makes emphasis on dry juvenile leaves, which are connate, so fused at their base to surround branchlets completely, detaching and spinning freely around themselves when wind blows.

Fig 2: Intermediate leaves and early flower buds of a Spinning Gum (E. perriniana) during winter in the Tablelands of Galicia (NW Spain). (Click image to enlarge)

But this striking ornamental foliage is not the only source of interest from an horticultural standpoint. When cultivated in suitable climate, the Spinning Gum flowers freely and profusely yet in juvenile leaf stage, adding seasonal interest to its cultivation.

Fig 3: Juvenile leaves and blooms of a Spinning Gum (E. perriniana) during summer in the Tablelands of Galicia (NW Spain). Note the swollen flower buds approaching anthesis. (Click image to enlarge)

Native to high montane plateaux in the subalpine regions of Eastern Victoria and South-Eastern New South Wales, and also to limited areas in Central Tasmania, it is distributed in scattered and normally reproductively isolated populations, possibly meaning variation in its attributes depending on seed provenance or lineages in cultivation.

Fig 4: General outlook of a reproductively mature Spinning Gum (E. perriniana) during summer and winter prior to summer bloominmg in the Tablelands of Galicia (NW Spain). (Click image to enlarge)

Referenced as cold hardy to lowest minima in the range of -15ºC, this eucalypt can be safely cultivated in USDA Zone 8 and the mildest part of USDA Zone 7. The pictured specimen, first of its kind taken to blooming stage in Galicia, thrives in a frost prone area in USDA Zone 8b, and has survived unscathed lowest minima of -10ºC, not affecting its crown development or flowering process.

Phenologic notes on E. perriniana in Galicia

Flower bud initiation: May/June (late spring, early summer)
Flower bud maturity: +10 /+12 months (late spring, summer)
Flowering period: May/August (summer, peak in July)
Seed pod maturity: +20 /+25 months since flower bud initiation
Simultaneous reproductive cycles: 1 cycle of immature flower buds + 1 cycle of seed pods in maturation + 1 cycle of ripe or senescent seed pods can be present at once in the same specimen

Also in EUCALYPTOLOGICS...

Snow Gums... in bloom

Anthesis in Eucalyptus robusta (Swamp Mahogany) flowers.
Photography by Brian Johnston (Click image to enlarge)

Eucalyptus seed capsules, flower buds, immature seed pods, mature seed pods, senescent seed pods, capsule collection and seed extraction methodology / Semilla de eucalipto, flor de eucalipto, capsulas inmaduras de eucalipto, capsulas maduras de eucalipto, capsulas extramaduras de eucalipto y metodos para cosecha de semilla de eucalipto / Eucalyptus pauciflora seed / Snow Gum Seed / Semilla de Eucalipto de las Nieves / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Reproductive cycle and seed maturation process in a Snow Gum Eucalyptus tree.

Cold hardy Eucalyptus forestry seedling nurseries in Galicia / Viveros de planta de eucalipto resistente a la helada en Galicia / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Eucalyptus seedling production at nursery

Eucalyptus Taillè: sculpted plants for regular pruning, a rewarding way to grow Australian trees indoors / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Cold hardy ornamental Eucalyptus nursery in Galicia / Vivero de planta ornamental de eucalipto resistente a la helada en Galicia / Planta Forestal / Planta Ornamental / Eucalipto Jardin / Eucalipto bonsai / Eucalipto nitens / Eucalipto Brillante / Eucalipto globulus / Eucalyptus bonsai / Eucalyptus garden / Eucalyptus Blue Silver / Eucalyptus gunnii / Eucalyptus gunni / Eucalipto guni / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo

Ornamental Eucalyptus: from Bonsai to Big Bonsai

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Ornamental Eucalyptus... Worldwide Plants (I)

ORNAMENTAL EUCALYPTUS WORLDWIDE: BARK

Full Size Image (link to GIT Forestry Consulting website)

Ornamental Eucalyptus Worldwide Flower Buds GIT Forestry Consulting Eucaliptos Ornamentales Flores por Gustavo Iglesias

ORNAMENTAL EUCALYPTUS WORLDWIDE: BUDS

Full Size Image (link to GIT Forestry Consulting website)

For those who grow Eucalyptus plants in areas of the world where they are relatively uncommon the ornamental quality of these trees can be quite evident. However for those who grow them in areas where any of the vast array of species is quite common sometimes there is a bias, in many cases towards an incomplete perception of these plants as alien, hazardous, environmentally negative species, monotonous, boring, or lacking of ornamental potential for exotic gardening. Fortunately many times any of these concepts can be quite subjective or at least subject to debate.

For all growers and non growers, but especially for the later, and with the permission of many hunters of beauty in images scattered all over the world (as eucalypts are too), a series of art pieces will be released, with the intention of nothing more and nothing less than broadening perception. And as you all well know, sometimes images say it better than words. And to understand Eucalyptus well two key concepts must be in the background of your thougths all the time: Variability & Diversity.

Beware, because after Bark it came Buds, and after this, then Blooms, and afterwards Birds, and later Bonds.

B... Eucalyptic!

We would like to express our gratitude to all the contributing photographers and to Flickr and its Creative Commons initiative.

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics