Eucalyptus saligna Sm.
Large tree; bark forming a persistent, fibrous stocking at base of trunk, smooth and grey above. Juvenile lvs opposite, petiolate, undulate, lanceolate-oblong. Adult lvs with petiole to 4 cm long; lamina to 17 × 4 cm, lanceolate or narrow-lanceolate, lighter below, coriaceous; lateral veins numerous and parallel, diverging at 50-70° from midrib; base oblique or symmetric; apex aristate-acuminate. Umbels axillary, of 5-7-(9) fls; peduncle c. 10 mm long, flattened. Buds subsessile, green; operculum c. 3 mm long, conic or acute, slightly < hypanthium. Stamens white; anthers ± oblong. Fr. sessile, 7-8 × 5-6 mm, campanulate or almost turbinate; valves 3-4, exserted or sometimes teeth only reaching mouth; disc very narrow, convex.
N.: N. Auckland, Auckland.
N.S.W., Queensland 1957
In and around old plantations and wind-breaks and in adjacent scrub.
FL Nov-Mar.
E. saligna is a common plantation and windbreak tree in warmer parts of the North Id, especially N. of the Volcanic Plateau; it may regenerate prolifically, particularly in N. Auckland. It is related to E. botryoides and in N.Z. they are often planted together. It can be distinguished from E. botryoides by the partially smooth trunk, the bud operculum almost = the hypanthium, the ± exserted valves, and the capsule shape. In N.S.W. it is known as Sydney blue gum.
