Mountain Swamp Gum
Eucalyptus camphora subsp. humeana
Appearance
- Bark: Smooth and grey on top trunk; dark grey, scaly and shedding in ribbons on lower trunk.
- Size: Straggly to erect tree (up to 20m). Rounded canopy.
- Juvenile leaves:Thick, egg-shaped to round. Often notched on end. 7cm x 5cm
- Adult leaves: dull green, broad, elliptic (shaped like a flattened circle) to egg-shaped 8-15cm x 2.5-6cm with dense veins and petioles (leaf stalks) up to 3cm
- Buds: Up to 7 narrow diamond-shaped buds <0.7cm long. Commonly 7 per cluster. Similar to E. ovata but narrower.
- Flowers: White inflorescence (flower clusters)
- Fruit: narrow, funnel-shaped with erect, projecting valves. 0.6cm long, 0.6cm diameter.
What to Observe
- First fully open single flower,
- Full flowering (record all days),
- End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded),
- No flowering.
- Presence of fruits
ClimateWatch Science Advisor
Eucalyptus camphora is one of the most cold-adjusted Eucalypts and the sugary exudates and flowers are important food sources for Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum. In a warming climate we e expect plants to delay emergence until later and start flowering earlier in the year because of climate change warming the Earth. They may also start disappearing in areas, as warmer temperatures suppress growth and development and their ability to renegerate.
Help scientists answer the question: "How are our animals, plants and ecosystems responding to climate change?"
When To Look
Between February and November. Late winter for fallen flower caps. Flowers March to April.
Where To Look
Cold damp slopes, swampy sites and creeksides. Usually grows at higher altitudes.
Sightings
References
- L. Costermans (2006) Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia, Reed New Holland, Sydney
- Experts consulted: ClimateWatch Science Advisory Panel
Links
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Search Species
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What Else?
Looks similar to Eucalyptus camphora subsp. camphora (Broad-leaved Sally). This subspecies will usually have a petiole less than 20mm long. Subsp. humeana will have a petiole 20-30mm long.
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Did You Know?
This tree is excellent habitat for many birds and marsupials including our state emblems the Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum, as well as Sooty Owl and the Mountain Brushtail Possum.