Eucalyptus grossa

Coarse-leaved Mallee
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Eucalyptus
Species:	E. grossa
Binomial name
Eucalyptus grossa F.Muell. ex Benth.

Eucalyptus grossa, also known as Coarse-leaved Mallee , is a species of Eucalyptus which is endemic to Western Australia. Other common names for this species include the Coarse-flowered Mallee and Phillip River Gum.

Description

Eucalyptus grossa is a mallee which grows from 0.5 to 5 metres high. It has rough, grey bark, smooth, reddish brachlets and large, thick leaves. The flower buds are bullet-shaped which are red-brown in colour and are attached to a thick, rounded, peduncle. Flowering occurs from late winter to late spring (August to November in Australia). The flowers are large and yellow or green in colour.

Distribution

The species occurs in an area around Esperance on rocky plains.

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described by botanist George Bentham in 1867.

Synonyms

• Eucalyptus incrassata var. grossa (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Maiden

Uses

Cultivation

This species has ornamental flowers and can be maintained as a dense, compact shrub if regular pruning is undertaken. It has proved adaptable to a wide range of conditions in temperate areas in Australia.

Cultural references

The Coarse-leaved Mallee was represented on a 50c Australian postage stamp in 2005.

See also

• List of Eucalyptus species
• List of flora on stamps of Australia

References

• "Eucalyptus grossa F.Muell. ex Benth.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=21239. 
• "Eucalyptus grossa". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5666.