Ironbark

E. crebra bark

Ironbark is a common name of a number of species in three taxonomic groups within the genus Eucalyptus that have dark, deeply furrowed bark.^[1]

Instead of being shed annually as in many of the other species of Eucalyptus, the dead bark accumulates on the trees, forming the fissures. It becomes rough after drying out and becomes impregnated with kino, a dark red tree sap exuded by the tree.^[2] The bark is resistant to fire and heat and protects the living tissue within the trunk and branches from fire. In cases of extreme fire, where leaves and shoots are removed, the protective bark aids in protecting epicormic buds which allow the tree to reshoot.^[3]

Examples of Ironbark species

• Eucalyptus crebra F.Muell., narrow-leaved ironbark or narrow-leaved red ironbark
• Eucalyptus fibrosa F. Muell., broad-leaved red ironbark
• Eucalyptus melanophloia F.Muell., silver-leaved ironbark
• Eucalyptus paniculata Sm., grey ironbark
• Eucalyptus siderophloia Benth., Northern Grey Ironbark
• Eucalyptus sideroxylon A.Cunningham ex Woolls, red ironbark or Mugga
• Eucalyptus placita L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill, Grey Ironbark
• Eucalyptus staigeriana F. Muell. ex Bailey, lemon ironbark
• Eucalyptus tricarpa (L.A.S.Johnson) L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill, red ironbark.

See also

• Ironwood

References

1. ↑ Ian Brooker, "Botany of the Eucalypts" in J.J.W. Coppen, Eucalyptus, 3-35, Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2002 ISBN 0-415-27879-1, p. 31
2. ↑ CSIRO Forest Products Newsletter 1946
3. ↑ J.B. Reid & B.M. Potts, "Eucalypt Biology" in Reid et al. (eds.), Vegetation of Tasmania, Australian Government, 2005, pp. 198-223

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