Eucalyptus cambageana

Description

Eucalyptus cambageana, commonly known as the Dawson River blackbutt or Coowarra box, is a species of eucalypt native to eastern Australia.Joseph Maiden described Eucalyptus cambageana in 1913, the type specimen was collected in 1912 from Mirtna Station near Charters Towers in Queensland.He named it in honour of surveyor and botanist Richard Hind Cambage.Eucalyptus cambageana reaches heights of 15 to 25 m with a spreading crown of 5-15 m, and a single straight trunk. The lower trunk has rough dark grey tessellated bark while the branches have smooth pale bark. The dull grey-green adult leaves are lanceolate, measuring 10-18 cm long by 2-3 cm wide, and are arranged alternately along the stems. In contrast, juvenile leaves are 8-15 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide, and almost oppositely arranged.Appearing over December and January, the white flowers occur in groups of 3 to 7 umbellate flowerheads. Each measures 0.8 cm in diameter.The range is across central Queensland.It grows in scrubland or open woodland with brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), and wilga (Geijera parviflora).These open woodland communities where it is co-dominant with brigalow are found on clay,alluvial,or sedimentary soils.In central Queensland, the presence of Eucalyptus cambageana is an indicator of sodic soil, which has implications for agriculture in the region.The heavy reddish-brown timber is used for fence posts in the local area.It grows into too large a tree for gardens in general, but its contrasting bark give it horticultural potential for parks and acreage.