Eucalyptus platypus

taxobox
name = Moort

---

image_caption = "Eucalyptus platypus"
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Eucalyptus"
species = "E. platypus"
binomial = "Eucalyptus platypus"
binomial_authority = Hook.|

Eucalyptus platypus, also known as the Moort or Round-leaved Moort, is a small tree which occurs in an area between Albany and Esperance in Western Australia.

Description

It is a mallee Eucalyptus and grows to between 1.5m and 10 metres in height. The canopy of the tree is dense and rounded and the leaves are elliptical to orbicular. The bark is smooth and light brown, ageing to grey.

A distinctive feature of this species are its elongated flat peduncles which are about 3 cm long and 1 cm wide. These are referred to in its specific name "platypus" which is derived from the Greek words πλατύς ("platy": flat, broad) and πους ("pous": foot). The peduncles support stalkless buds with long, conical caps in clusters of up to seven. These are followed by or greenish-yellow (or occasionally white, cream or red) flowers in spring and summer which are to some degree obscured by the dense foliage.

It was first described by William Jackson Hooker in 1851, from the type specimen collected near King George Sound by James Drummond.

ubspecies

There are currently two recognized subspecies of "Eucalyptus platypus":
*"Eucalyptus platypus" subsp. "congregata" Brooker & Hopper
*"Eucalyptus platypus" Hook. subsp. platypus

Two former subspecies are now classified as species in their own right. "Eucalyptus platypus" var. "heterophylla" Blakely is currently "Eucalyptus utilis" Brooker & Hopper and "Eucalyptus platypus" var. "nutans" (F.Muell.) Benth. is currently "Eucalyptus nutans" (F. Muell.)

ynonyms

*"Eucalyptus obcordata" Turcz. (1851)

ee also

*List of Eucalyptus species

References

*Holliday, I and Watton, G (1980) "A Gardener's Guide to Eucalypts". Rigby.
* [http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/flora?f=273&level=s&id=5749 FloraBase – The Western Australian Flora: "Eucalyptus platypus"]
*APNI | name = Eucalyptus platypus Hook. | id = 51900
* [http://trees.stanford.edu/ENCYC/EUCplaty.htm Encyclopedia of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: "Eucalyptus platypus"]