Common Name: Flooded Gum

General Information

Eucalyptus rudis is an evergreen tree with a wide-spreading crown; it can grow up to 20 metres tall. The bole is usually short, but can be up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Moist flats and along the banks of streams, occasionally in the bed of seasonal streams; at elevations up to 220 metres[, ].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus rudis is native to the Mediterranean climate of southwestern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 220 metres. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter months, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 450 - 900mm and a dry season that is not usually severe of up to 5 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 28 - 35°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 4 - 11°c, and there are generally 5 or more frosts a year[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at 0°c[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a wide range of soils of moderate fertility[]. Plants generally require a well-drained soil, but are able to withstand seasonal inundation of the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].
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[].
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[]. 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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

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 contain around 1.2% (0.7% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole, pinene, [].

The pale brown to reddish wood is cross-graind, heavy, hard and of low durability. The species occurs mainly in farming country and has been used for farming purposes[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow late winter/early spring in a sunny position in a greenhouse[, , ]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[]. 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[].