Eucalyptus acmenoides

White mahogany
White Mahogany near its southern most limit of distribution, at Eastwood, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species: E. acmenoides
Binomial name
Eucalyptus acmenoides
Schauer

Eucalyptus acmenoides, the white mahogany is a common eucalyptus tree of eastern Australia. In the northern part of Sydney, where this tree grows on clay soils, the indigenous name is Barayly.[1]

According to Joseph Maiden, the specific epithet acmenoides refers to Schauer's observation of a supposed similarity with the leaves of the rainforest tree Lilly Pilly, previously known as Acmena smithii. However, any similarity with the two types of leaves appears obscure. (See leaf photo comparison below).

Sometimes referred to as the yellow stringybark in parts of Queensland. However, despite the rough and somewhat stringy bark, this tree is considered by scientists to be in the mahogany group of eucalyptus.[2]

The original specimen was collected by Allan Cunningham from an un-recorded forest in the state of New South Wales, in January 1817. First published by Schauer in Walpers, W.G. (1843), Repertorium Botanices Systematicae 2(5): 924

Habitat

The range of distribution is deeper soils with high moisture levels, from Port Jackson (Sydney) north to tropical Queensland.

The altitude range of this tree is between sea level and 1000 metres above sea level. The climate is warm humid to tropical; with an annual average rainfall from 1000 mm to 1700 mm.[2]

Description

A tree with fibrous, thin, greyish fawn bark, somewhat stringy. Adult leaves are thin, paler on the lower side. In exceptional circumstances it may grow to 60 metres in height, though is mostly seen between 20 and 35 metres tall.

Timber

White mahogany is well regarded for the high quality of timber. The timber has various uses, including heavy engineering, poles, railway sleepers, bridge and wharf construction, framing, decking stumps, fence posts, joists, flooring, plates and weatherboarding.

The sapwood is usually not attacked by the lyctus borer. Heartwood is light, of a pale yellowish brown. The texture is medium and even. Grain structure is uniform, however at times it can be interlocked.

Timber somewhat similar to the tallowwood, but not quite as greasy. Wood resistant to termites. Timber is hard, heavy, strong, tough and durable. Around 1000 kilograms per cubic metre.

References

  1. ↑ Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0 page 40
  2. 1 2 Forest Trees of Australia, D.J. Boland et al. 1992 ISBN 0-909605-57-2 page 270
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