Eucalyptus species                                                                                                   Myrtaceae                                                                                    Myrtle Family                                                                                 Australia or Malayan Region   Eucalyptus

                                               May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Multi-trunked spreading shrub, to 3 m., rarely a straggly tree to 6 m.; trunk smooth, bark grayish-red, deciduous in long strips with the underlying bark a reddish-brown; new stem growth green, becoming reddish-brown; lvs. oblanceolate to obovate, 6-7 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm wide, deep green, entire;  fls. light yellow, 2.5-3 cm. across; buds (lids) in a stalked umbel, bullet shaped, +/- 6 to a cluster; calyx tube campanulate to turbinate, 7-8 mm. in dia.; lid conical, acute, about as long as calyx-tube; caps. sunk.

Habitat:  Escape from cultivation.

Name:  Greek, eu, for well and kalyptos, covered, referring to the sepals and petals which are united to form a cap or lid which is present in the bud but drops off at anthesis.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 577).  The Greek, eu, or well probably refers to the sunken capsule in many species.  (my comment).  

General:  Rare in the study area with only one tree known and this on the northerly side of upper Big Canyon about half way between the beginning of the upper canyon and Jamboree Rd.         About 300 species of trees in Australia and the Malayan region, furnishing valuable timber and a number grown for street and avenue trees in semitropical and warm temperate regions.  (Bailey 727).    

Text Ref:  Bailey 727; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 577; Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984, 289.

Photo Ref:  May-June 2000 # 9,10.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 523.

First Found:  May 2000.

Identity by R. De Ruff

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 2/25/01.

                                             May Photo