Eucalyptus rodwayi, commonly known as the swamp peppermint,[2] is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to Tasmania. It has rough, fibrous to flaky bark on the trunk and branches, narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven, white flowers and conical to hemispherical fruit.
| Swamp peppermint | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. rodwayi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eucalyptus rodwayi | |
Description
editEucalyptus rodwayi is a tree that typically grows to a height of 20 m (66 ft) and forms a lignotuber. It has rough, greyish fibrous or flaky bark on the trunk and branches. Young plants and coppice regrowth have lance-shaped to elliptical leaves 25–78 mm (0.98–3.07 in) long and 7–20 mm (0.28–0.79 in) wide. Adult leaves are the same shade of glossy green on both sides, narrow lance-shaped or curved, 50–135 mm (2.0–5.3 in) long and 7–20 mm (0.28–0.79 in) wide, tapering to a petiole 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven, nine or eleven on a peduncle 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long, the individual flowers on pedicels 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long. Mature buds are oval to diamond-shaped, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and 2–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) wide with a conical operculum about equal in length to the floral cup. Flowering occurs between December and March and the flowers are white. The fruit is a conical to hemispherical capsule 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide with the valves near rim level.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editEucalyptus rodwayi was first formally described in 1902 by Richard Thomas Baker and Henry George Smith in their book A research on the eucalypts of Tasmania and their essential oils.[4][5] The specific epithet (rodwayi) honours Leonard Rodway for his contribution to botanical research in Tasmania.[5]
Distribution and habitat
editSwamp peppermint grows in poorly-drained areas in valleys from the central plateau to the east coast of Tasmania.[2][3][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Eucalyptus rodwayi". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ a b c "Eucalyptus rodwayi". Euclid: Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ a b Chippendale, George McCartney. George, Alex S. (ed.). "Eucalyptus rodwayi". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ "Eucalyptus rodwayi". APNI. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ a b Baker, Richard T.; Smith, Henry G. (1912). A research on the eucalypts of Tasmania and their essential oils. Tasmania: Tasmanian Government Printer. pp. 53–55. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ "Eucalyptus rodwayi". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 15 December 2019.