Eucalyptus pauciflora
Sieber ex Spreng.
Myrtaceae
Eucalyptus coriacea A.Cunn. ex Schauer
Eucalyptus debeuzevillei Maiden
Eucalyptus niphophila Maiden & Blakely
Eucalyptus phlebophylla F.Muell. ex Miq.
Eucalyptus submultiplinervis Miq.
Eucalyptus sylvicultrix F.Muell. ex Benth.
Common Name: Cabbage Gum
General Information
Eucalyptus pauciflora is an evergreen tree with a spreading crown; it usually grows from 10 - 20 metres tall, with occasional specimens reaching 30 metres. At higher elevations it is commonly a shrub or low twisted tree much buffeted by the wind. The trunk may reach 100 cm in diameter, it is often short, crooked and strongly branched from near the base[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
,
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is grown in shelterbelts and is also used as an ornametal[
1658- Title
- Eucalypts for Planting
- Publication
- FAO Forestry Series No.11
- Author
- Jacobs M.R.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org
- Publisher
- FAO; Rome
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 92-5-100570-2
- Description
- An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
Range
Australia - Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, southeastern Queensland
Habitat
Upper mountain slopes and ridges which are covered with snow annually, also in broad valleys and tablelands, often the first tree on the edges of frosty, treeless valleys in the Great Dividing Range; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[
77- Title
- Eucalypts. (2 volumes.)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kelly. S.
- Publisher
- Nelson, Melbourne
- Year
- 1969
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very readable book (in two volumes) on the many species of Eucalyptus trees in Australia.
,
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
,
1658- Title
- Eucalypts for Planting
- Publication
- FAO Forestry Series No.11
- Author
- Jacobs M.R.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org
- Publisher
- FAO; Rome
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 92-5-100570-2
- Description
- An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
].
Properties
Medicinal Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 12.00 m |
Growth Rate | Medium |
Pollinators | Bees |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Eucalyptus pauciflora is native to the temperate climate of southeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 1,800 metres. Rainfall can occur all year round, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 625 - 1,250mm and a non-severe dry season of up to 4 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 28°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month ranges from -2 to +2 °c, and there are generally around 50 - 100 frosts a year[
1658- Title
- Eucalypts for Planting
- Publication
- FAO Forestry Series No.11
- Author
- Jacobs M.R.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org
- Publisher
- FAO; Rome
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 92-5-100570-2
- Description
- An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
]. A fairly cold-hardy species, the dormant tree tolerates long periods down to -8°c and short periods to -14°c[
107- Title
- A Key to Eucalypts in Britain and Ireland.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brooker. M. I.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
- 0-11-710192-3
- Description
- A Forestry commission booklet giving details of the more common Eucalyptus species grown in Britain. Good identification guide.
], though it should not be planted in a frost pocket[
107- Title
- A Key to Eucalypts in Britain and Ireland.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brooker. M. I.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
- 0-11-710192-3
- Description
- A Forestry commission booklet giving details of the more common Eucalyptus species grown in Britain. Good identification guide.
]. The young growth is more tender, however, and can be severely damaged at -1°c[
]. The subspecies niphophila is perhaps the hardiest species in this genus, it tolerates long periods down to -14°c and short periods as low as -20°c[
107- Title
- A Key to Eucalypts in Britain and Ireland.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brooker. M. I.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
- 0-11-710192-3
- Description
- A Forestry commission booklet giving details of the more common Eucalyptus species grown in Britain. Good identification guide.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Succeeds in most soils but dislikes chalk or clay soils[
98- Title
- Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
- Forestry Commission Bulletin
- Author
- Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. F.
- Publisher
- HMSO; London
- Year
- 1982
- ISBN
- 0-11-710152-4
- Description
- Very comprehensive guide to growing trees and shrubs from seed. Not for the casual reader.
]. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Tolerant of dry soils, drought and exposed maritime positions[
75- Title
- Shelter Trees and Hedges.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rosewarne experimental horticultural station.
- Publisher
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A small booklet packed with information on trees and shrubs for hedging and shelterbelts in exposed maritime areas.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
], though its foliage may be burnt in such a position. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[
].
The plant develops a lignotuber - this is a woody tuber that starts to develop near the base of seedlings and can become massive in the mature plants of some species. It possesses embedded vegetative buds, allowing the plant to regenerate following crown destruction, for example by fire[
].
The tree has very limited potential as a crop. If protection forests must be planted in snow country, there are probably better species; it is a reasonable ornamental tree.. There is a good plantation in southern Brazil; and it is successful in places in Europe[
1658- Title
- Eucalypts for Planting
- Publication
- FAO Forestry Series No.11
- Author
- Jacobs M.R.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org
- Publisher
- FAO; Rome
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 92-5-100570-2
- Description
- An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
].
The subspecies niphophila is a very ornamental tree[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. It grows very slowly in its first 2 or 3 years but is then capable of growing 1 metre or more a year[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. It has been known to self-sow in Devon, southwestern England[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
In Australia niphophila usually regenerates from the base after forest fires[
167- Title
- A Field Guide to Australian Trees.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Holliday. I. and Hill. R.
- Publisher
- Frederick Muller Ltd.
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0-85179-627-3
- Description
- A well illustrated and very readable book, but it does not contain much information for the plant project.
].
Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Many members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, and there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock[
245- Title
- Scented Flora of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Genders. R.
- Publisher
- Robert Hale. London.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
- 0-7090-5440-8
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. This is one of the few eucalypts that can be transplanted easily as large specimens because it has a fibrous root system[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The following report is for the subspecies niphophila:-
Eucalyptus leaves are a traditional Aboriginal herbal remedy. The essential oil found in the leaves is a powerful antiseptic and is used all over the world for relieving coughs and colds, sore throats and other infections[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. The essential oil is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold remedies[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
An essential oil obtained from the leaves is antiseptic[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
]. The essential oil obtained from various species of eucalyptus is a very powerful antiseptic, especially when it is old, because ozone is formed in it on exposure to air. It has a decided disinfectant action, destroying the lower forms of life[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. The oil can be used externally, applied to cuts, skin infections etc, it can also be inhaled for treating blocked nasal passages, it can be gargled for sore throat and can also be taken internally for a wide range of complaints[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. Some caution is advised, however, because like all essential oils, it can have a deleterious effect on the body in larger doses[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
Fairly tolerant of maritime exposure, though the foliage may be burnt by stronger winds. It can be grown as part of a shelterbelt in maritime areas[
75- Title
- Shelter Trees and Hedges.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rosewarne experimental horticultural station.
- Publisher
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A small booklet packed with information on trees and shrubs for hedging and shelterbelts in exposed maritime areas.
].
The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Other Uses
An essential oil is obtained from the leaves. Total quantity of the oil, and its composition, can vary widely from plant to plant, but we have reports that the fresh leaves can contain from 0.4 - 2.1% (1.4 - 3.4% dry weight) essential oil. The main components vary considerably between different forms but include pinene, phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, piperitone, eudesmol[
1659- Title
- Eucalyptus Leaf Oils: Use, Chemistry, Distillation and Marketing
- Publication
- Phytochemistry June 1992
- Author
- Southwell I.A.
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)80403-2
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An extensive list of Eucalyptus species and their essential oil content.
].
The leaves of subspecies niphophila yield between 0.7 and 0.8% essential oil. It is a good antiseptic[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
]. The essential oil is an effective inhibitor of hydrochloric acid corrosion when coated over steel[
1091- Title
- Effect of Athamanta sicula oil on inhibition of mild steel corrosion in 1M HCl
- Publication
- Der Pharma Chemica · February 2015, 7(2):103-111
- Author
- A. Bouyanzer et al
- Website
- http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2015
- ISBN
- 0975-413X
- Description
- Research paper on the value of plant extracts, especially Athamanta sicula, in protecting steel from acid corrosion.
].
The pinkish brown wood is light in weight, comparatively soft, moderately strong, not durable. It is apt to warp and has many gum veins. It is little used except for fence rails etc[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
,
1658- Title
- Eucalypts for Planting
- Publication
- FAO Forestry Series No.11
- Author
- Jacobs M.R.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org
- Publisher
- FAO; Rome
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 92-5-100570-2
- Description
- An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
].
The wood is a good source of fuel[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
,
1658- Title
- Eucalypts for Planting
- Publication
- FAO Forestry Series No.11
- Author
- Jacobs M.R.
- Website
- http://www.fao.org
- Publisher
- FAO; Rome
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 92-5-100570-2
- Description
- An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
].
Propagation
Seed - surface sow late winter/early spring in a sunny position in a greenhouse[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
,
134- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 2.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rice. G. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1988
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.
]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in early summer, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].