Eucalyptus Identification 101

Nine of us had a pleasant afternoon.  We met up and, as usual, we started with a bit of theory and made the acquaintance of the CSIRO Euclid App¹.  Euclid makes Eucalypt identification very easy but it still requires good observations of features.

Then there was a bit of scampering about Mary’s block to make observations and take samples.  We successfully identified a Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and a Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata).

Then off to Moore’s Track to look at Stringybarks.  The fibrous bark is obvious but Nelson has two species – the Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri) and the Messmate.  A quick consult of Leila’s old book² told us we were in a patch of Browns.  Time was marching on so we left the hunt for Messmates for another day.

Next, we looked at a gum that was familiar but the bark was different.  We quickly sorted that we had found a Rough-barked Manna-gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. cygnetensis).  

Back to base for cuppas, carrot cake and wine o’clock as desired.  Of Nelson’s nearby Gum species, we found four, but we also have some new skills to find more on our own.

Here is a list of Gum Trees near Nelson according to the VBA (Victorian Biodiversity Atlas)³.

Eucalyptus willisii s.l.	Shining Peppermint
Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. cygnetensis	Rough-barked Manna-gum
Eucalyptus ovata subsp. nov. (Discovery Bay)	Dwarf Swamp-gum
Eucalyptus baxteri s.s.	Brown Stringybark
Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. camaldulensis	River Red-gum
Eucalyptus falciformis	Western Peppermint
Eucalyptus obliqua	Messmate Stringybark
Eucalyptus ovata	Swamp Gum
Eucalyptus baxteri s.l.	Brown Stringybark
Eucalyptus botryoides	Southern Mahogany
Eucalyptus camaldulensis	River Red-gum
Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. megalocarpa	Large-fruit Yellow-gum
Eucalyptus viminalis	Manna Gum

References

1. EUCLID Home (lucidcentral.org)
2. G.M. Chippendale Editor, Eucalyptus Buds and Fruits, Commonwealth of Australia Department of National Development Forestry and Timber Bureau, Canberra 1968
3. Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (environment.vic.gov.au)

Photos and words M Styles