Scientific Name: Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora
Common Name: cabbage gum
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Myrtaceae
Form Description: Trees sometimes with long pendulous branches, and rounded crown. Leaves: Juvenile – petiolate, ovate, thick, leathery and dull blue-green. Adult – lanceolate, glossy green and leathery with marked longitudinal veins. Concolorous.
Height (m): 6 – 40
Flowers: Umbels with 5-15 creamy-white flowers. Flowers prolifically.
Fruit: Woody capsule – pear-shaped or hemispherical, top flat and opening by 3 or 4 pores.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread in the east, north and Midlands in rain shadow areas, but also coastal and on the southern edge of the Central Plateau in well-drained situations. Tolerates long periods of heavy snow but may not tolerate drought, depending on provenance.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Trees are useful in providing medium-level shelter (up to 20m) in mixed species windbreaks. Is also useful in second line plantings in coastal conditions. Valued in highland areas for assisting in erosion control and for intercepting drifting snow. Bird attracting. The trees develop branch hollows used for nesting. Nectar-feeding birds are attracted during the flowering season. Bee attracting. The blossom also provides food for many insects, which attract insect-eating birds. Can provide emergency fodder for stock in times of feed shortage, regenerating well from lopping. Regenerates readily after fire, browsing or cutting. Timber may be used locally in fencing.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Collect capsules and store in paper bags until pores open to release seed. Separate seed by sieving.
Seed Treatment Method
Cold Some species require exposure to cold before they germinate. These species are best sown in early winter and left to germinate in a shade house.
Seed Storage Life
10 years dry stored in refrigerator at 4°C
Seed Treatment Notes
Suitable for direct seeding. Otherwise combine the seed with moist sand and refrigerate for 4-6 weeks at 2-4°C. The optimum germination temp. is 15°C. May have poor seedling growth unless local leaf litter is incorporated into the potting media.
Germination Time
2-4 weeks