Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
coarse leaved mallee
Family Name:
Myrtaceae
Botanical Name:
Eucalyptus grossa
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The coarse-leaved mallee is a small, broadleaved evergreen tree that can grow up to 10 feet tall (1,2,6). The coarse leaved mallee bark is vertically fissured and persists on the stem, resulting in a thick, rough texture (2,4,5,6). The branchlets of the coarse-leaved mallee are strikingly red while the bark on older branches is a dark grey-brown color (4,5,6). This plant forms a lignotuber, a woody swelling at the base of the trunk, used for storage and regeneration of the plant in the event that it is severely damaged (6,7). The leaves are very thick and leathery in texture (4,5). The juvenile foliage is petiolate, with opposite phyllotaxy for one to two nodes, then transitioning to alternate attachment and a more rounded shaped leaf with a glossy green finish. The juvenile foliage is 2-3” long and 1-2" wide (6). The leaves on mature growth are also alternate or opposite with a rounded shape similar to the juvenile leaves, except that adult leaves can appear slightly lanceolate due to a pointed apex, and have a purplish-red midrib contrasting the broad green color of the blade (1,2,4,6). The mature leaves are 3-5” long and 1-2” wide (6). The coarse leaved mallee has axillary inflorescences with a 0.39-1.38”long peduncle, with the buds appearing to be largely sessile, but are sometimes held on very thick pedicels measuring less than 0.1” (1/10) long (1,6). The buds and the peduncle are a bright red color, and have a slightly downturned orientation (1,2,4,6). Each inflorescence bears 7 flowers, measuring approximately 1” long, which are covered with a bright red operculum that reveals bright yellow-green flowers once shed (1,2,6). The fruit is a woody, cylindrical capsule containing angular-ovoid seeds with a smooth surface (1,6).
Compound:
Euc gro
Geographic Origin:
Australia
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Eucalyptus grossa is endemic to western Australia (1,2,6). The coarse leaved mallee was first described from a specimen collected in western Australia near Phillips River, by George Maxwell (2,6). Eucalyptus grossa is referred to as the coarse-leaved mallee due to its thick and leathery leaves. The plants wide and stout appearance inspired the specific epithet “grossa” from the Latin word “grossus” meaning thick (2,4,6).
Cultivation Notes:
The coarse leaved mallee has been used and cultivated in California as well as eastern and western Australia (2). The tree is adapted to a variety of soil types and is tolerant to salinity. Its tolerance to various soil types and salinity levels allows versatility in most areas in western Australia (6). This plant is frost tender (5). The tree is primarily cultivated by seedlings (1,2). This plant tends to grow straggly, but can be pruned/trained to keep it more compact in stature (5,6)
Ethnobotany:
In both Australia and in the southwestern United States, this tree is a popular choice as a landscape ornamental. The coarse leaved mallee is not closely related to other species of Eucalyptus. Its unique features are valued in ornamental landscapes for it glossy green leaves, shrubby habit, fragrant flowers, and thornless qualities due to the variety inermis.
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
