Practical
Plants

Eucalyptus pauciflora

Cabbage Gum

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Eucalyptus genus in the family Myrtaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Myrtaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
12 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Citronellal, an essential oil found in most Eucalyptus species is reported to be mutagenic when used in isolation[7]. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation[7]. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount[7]. Symptoms include gastroenteric burning and irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, oxygen deficiency, ,weakness, dizziness, stupor, difficult respiration, delirium, paralysis, convulsions, and death, usually due to respiratory failure[7].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fairly tolerant of maritime exposure, though the foliage may be burnt by stronger winds. It can be grown as a shelterbelt tree[8]. Wood - soft, not durable, apt to warp. It is used for fence rails, fuel etc[4].

Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Windbreak

Environment

Range
Australia - Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Edges of frosty treeless valleys in mountains to 1500 metres and down to sea level in W. Victoria[9][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse[2][10][3]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[5]. 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 June, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[5]. Succeeds in most soils but dislikes chalk or clay soils[11]. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements[5]. Tolerant of dry soils, drought and exposed maritime positions[5], though its foliage may be burnt in such a position. A fairly hardy species, it tolerates long periods down to -8°c and short periods to -14°c[1], though it should not be planted in a frost pocket[1]. 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. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[5]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[5]. 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[6]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[2]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[5].

References

  1. Brooker. M. I. A Key to Eucalypts in Britain and Ireland. HMSO 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710192-3

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  4. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  7. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩

  9. Kelly. S. Eucalypts. (2 volumes.) Nelson, Melbourne 1969-00-00

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  11. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

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