Eucalyptus species identification (V): leaves help

By their fruits ye shall know them (V)

Even more tips on Eucalyptus Identification

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

EUCALYPTOLOGICS

We have previously seen in EUCALYPTOLOGICS how bark features alone can be misleading for accurate Eucalyptus species identification, showing examples of different bark types for the same eucalypt species and of similar bark types for different eucalypt species. We have also seen how in some cases just a small sample of flower buds can work well, and also an example of how even just a distant photograph of Eucalyptus seed cups (fruits) can yield an accurate identification. Today we will see yet another different case, in which inflorescence similarities force the consideration of other details.

Fig. 1: Example of leaf comparison assisting flower comparison for accurate Eucalyptus species identification (Click image to enlarge)

Our friend Barrie at Las Palmas Norte-Hardy Palm & Exotics (Lantzville, British Columbia) reported the case of a mystery Eucalyptus in Canada that might require a confirmation of its identification.

The main doubt arising was its striking similarity to a Snow Gum (E. pauciflora and allied species and subspecies) for a good number of visual parameters.

Indeed, pictures of the tree in question showed similarities for flower bud clusters, general leaf shape, and not a too dissimilar bark outlook for the case of a young specimen. The most likely candidate within the Snow Gums to match this tree was E. pauciflora ssp. pauciflora, a normally narrow leaved form of the species.

The alternative species suggested by our also eucalyptologist friend Ian Barclay at The Desert Northwest (Sequim, Washington) was E. kybeanensis, the Kybean Mallee Ash.  And he might well be totally right.

The plate above provides a comparative view of both species, depicting their similarities for flower buds and bloooms, but also showing how, for this case, observation of leaf shape and size, but more importantly, of leaf venation patterns, can yield an accurate Eucalyptus identification.

In other words: "by their buds and fruits you will know them, but do not forget the other details".

Also in Eucalyptologics...

Example of "fruit based" diagnosis useful for accurate Eucalyptus species identification (Click image to enlarge)

Example of "flower bud only" diagnosis useful for accurate Eucalyptus species identification

Example of "bark only" diagnosis misleading Eucalyptus species identification (Click image to enlarge)

Example of botanical sample gathering methodology for accurate Eucalyptus species identification (Click to enlarge)

Different simultaneous stages of the reproductive cycle and eucalypt seed maturation process in a standing Snow Gum Eucalyptus tree.(Click to enlarge)

After Eucalyptus seed collection: examples of Eucalyptus seedling nursery stock for afforestation (Click to enlarge)

Find a local expert to ID your Eucalyptus

If you have an unknown eucalypt around and you are able to collect and photograph samples of the key organs needed for identification, do not hesitate contacting GIT Forestry Consulting.

If you are in the USA and find it easier to post fresh samples to a local expert, you can also contact Dr. Matt Ritter, resident eucalypt hunter at the California Polytechnic State University.

Visit Cal Poly Plant Conservatory

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© 2008 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.