Eucalyptus robusta

taxobox
name = Swamp Mahogany


image_caption = "E. robusta" by James Sowerby, from James Edward Smith's 1793 "A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland"
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Eucalyptus"
species = "E. robusta"
binomial = "Eucalyptus robusta"
binomial_authority = Sm.|

"Eucalyptus robusta", commonly known as Swamp Mahogany, Swamp Messmate or Swamp Stringybark,cite web | title = Australian Plant Common Name Database | url = http://www.anbg.gov.au/common.names/ | accessdate = 2007-07-15 | publisher = Australian National Botanic Gardens] is a tree native to eastern Australia.

Description

It grows as a tree to around 20–30 metres tall, with a straight trunk up to 1 metre in diameter. It has long, spreading, irregular branches, and a dense canopy. It has stringy red-brown bark, 10–17 centimetre long green leaves, and white or cream flowers clustered in inflorescences of from seven to 13 flowers.cite book | author = Boland, D. J. "et al" | year = 1984 | title = Forest Trees of Australia | edition = 4th Edition | isbn = 0-643-05423-5]

Taxonomy

Specimens of "E. robusta" were first collected by First Fleet surgeon and naturalist John White, and published by James Edward Smith in his 1793 collaboration with George Shaw, "Zoology and Botany of New Holland". Shortly afterwards, the description was reprinted verbatim in Smith's "A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland", and it is this publication that is usually credited. Smith gave it the specific epithet "robusta" ("robust") in reference to the size and strength of the full-grown tree.cite book | first = James Edward | last = Smith | authorlink = James Edward Smith | year = 1793 | title = A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland | location = London | publisher = James Sowerby]

Synonyms include:APNI | name = "Eucalyptus robusta" Sm. | id = 3501]
* "Eucalyptus robusta" var. "bivalva" Blakely
* "Eucalyptus robusta" var. "bivalvis" (Blakely) Blakely
* "Eucalyptus robusta" Sm. var. "robusta"
* "Eucalyptus multiflora" Poir.
* "Eucalyptus multiflora" Poir. var. "multiflora"
* "Eucalyptus multiflora" var. "bivalva" Blakely
* "Eucalyptus multiflora" var. "bivalvis" BlakelyA number of hybrids have been reported.

Distribution and habitat

This species occurs in swamps and alongside estuaries in a narrow coastal strip, usually within a few kilometres of the ocean, from Rockingham, Queensland south to Jervis Bay, New South Wales.

Uses

Its heartwood is extremely durable, and highly resistant to marine borers. It is used as a round timber for construction of wharves and fencing.

References