Common Name: Silver-leaved Ironbark

General Information

Eucalyptus melanophloia is usually an evergreen tree growing up to 20 metres tall, though sometimes it is more shrub-like, growing around 4 metres tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory

Habitat

Widespread and abundant, in grassy or sclerophyll woodland on lighter soils[]. Gently undulating country in grassy woodlands on a range of soils, though more common on fertile soils,such as those derived from basalt[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus melanophloia has a very wide range from the warm temperate zone of New South Wales to the tropics of northern Queensland and the arid regions of central Australia.
Eucalyptus species generally require a sunny position, succeeding in a wide range of well-drained, circumneutral soils of low to moderate fertility[].
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[].
This species is one of the ironbark group of Eucalypts. The resin exudes into the bark then hardens making the bark very hard and difficult to cut through with primitive tools[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are an excellent source of nectar and pollen for bees[].

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 0.1 - 0.9% (0.2% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include pinene (around 40%), phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, terpineol, globulol[].

The wood is hard, heavy and durable but not readily worked. Logs are seldom of good form for sawing but are suitable for construction, used in the round or hewn for fencing and other farm purposes[]..

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a sunny position and make sure the compost is not allowed to dry out[, , ]. 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. The seedlings are ready for planting in the field when they are 25 - 30 cm tall, usually after 3 - 4 months.
The seed has a long viability[].

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