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{{Refimprove|date=October 2007}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2007}}
{{taxobox
{{taxobox
|name = Snow Gum {{italic title}}
|name = ''Eucalyptus pauciflora'' {{italic title}}
|image = SnowGumTrunk.jpg
|image = SnowGumTrunk.jpg
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
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|binomial_authority = [[Franz Sieber|Sieber]] ex Spreng.
|binomial_authority = [[Franz Sieber|Sieber]] ex Spreng.
|}}
|}}
'''''Eucalyptus pauciflora''''' ('''snow gum''') is a [[species]] of [[flowering plant]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] Myrtaceae. It is a small [[tree]] or large [[shrub]] growing {{convert|4|-|8|m|0|abbr=on}} tall, occasionally reaching {{convert|20|m|0|abbr=on}}, and [[native plant|native]] to subalpine and lowland habitats in eastern Australia.
The '''Snow Gum''' ('''''Eucalyptus pauciflora''''') is a small [[tree]] or large [[shrub]] native to eastern [[Australia]].


==Habitat==
==Description==
⚫
The bark of ''Eucalyptus pauciflora'' is smooth and white to light grey or sometimes brown-red, shedding in patches or strips to give a mottled appearance. The grey-green adult leaves are usually lanceolate to broadly-lanceolate with distinct parallel veins, but may be narrowly ovate.
It is usually found in the subalpine habitats of eastern [[Australia]]. Snow Gums also grow in lowland habitats where they can reach heights of up to 20 metres, although specimens over 15 metres are found at high elevations in the Victorian Alps. Lowland Snow Gum is sometimes known as White Sallee, Cabbage Gum or Cabbage Ash. Similar but less common species include the Wolgan Snow Gum (''[[Eucalyptus gregsoniana]]'') and the Weeping Snow Gum (''[[Eucalyptus lacrimans]]''). The Snow gum is mainly found in the Australian Alps, including Kosciuszko national park and the Victorian Alps.


==Description==
⚫
The bark of ''Eucalyptus pauciflora'' is smooth and white to light grey or sometimes brown-red, shedding in patches or strips to give a mottled appearance. The adult leaves are usually lanceolate to broadly-lanceolate with distinct parallel veins, but may be narrowly ovate.
Rather than losing its leaves in winter/autumn, the tree adapts to the weight of snow by progressively bending its branches so that the outermost branches extend vertically down and snow is shed from the leaves.
Rather than losing its leaves in winter/autumn, the tree adapts to the weight of snow by progressively bending its branches so that the outermost branches extend vertically down and snow is shed from the leaves.


==Sub species==
==Subspecies==
[[Image:Snow Gum1.JPG|thumb|right|Snow Gum, Australian Alps, showing the tree's ability to survive in deep snow]]
[[Image:Snow Gum1.JPG|thumb|right|Snow Gum, Australian Alps, showing the tree's ability to survive in deep snow]]
[[Image:Snow Gum 2.JPG|thumb|right|Snow Gum (''Eucalyptus pauciflora''), Australian Alps, showing how the branches bend rather than break with the weight of the snow and how this causes snow to be lost from the leaves]]
[[Image:Snow Gum 2.JPG|thumb|right|Snow Gum (''Eucalyptus pauciflora''), Australian Alps, showing how the branches bend rather than break with the weight of the snow and how this causes snow to be lost from the leaves]]
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* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''pauciflora'', the nominate subspecies, with non-glaucous buds. This is by far the most widespread form.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''pauciflora'', the nominate subspecies, with non-glaucous buds. This is by far the most widespread form.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''debeuzevillei'', syn. ''E. debeuzevillei'', the Jounama Snow Gum, with glaucous angular buds. This is found only in the far south-east of New South Wales.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''debeuzevillei'', syn. ''E. debeuzevillei'', the Jounama Snow Gum, with glaucous angular buds. This is found only in the far south-east of New South Wales.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''niphophila'', syn. ''E. niphophila'', with glaucous non-angular buds. This is found in the highest parts of the [[Australian Alps]], straddling the Victoria - New South Wales border.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''niphophila'', syn. ''E. niphophila'', with glaucous non-angular buds. This is found in the highest parts of the Australian Alps, straddling the Victoria - New South Wales border.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''hedraia'', with sessile glaucous buds. Restricted to the [[Falls Creek, Victoria|Falls Creek]] and [[Mount Bogong]] area, Victoria.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''hedraia'', with sessile glaucous buds. Restricted to the [[Falls Creek, Victoria|Falls Creek]] and [[Mount Bogong]] area, Victoria.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''parvifructa'', with small adult leaves and small, slightly glaucous buds. Restricted to above 900m altitude on the Mount William Range, the [[Grampians National Park|Grampians]], Victoria.
* ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''parvifructa'', with small adult leaves and small, slightly glaucous buds. Restricted to above 900m altitude on the Mount William Range, the [[Grampians National Park|Grampians]], Victoria.
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==Range==
==Range==
[[File:Eucalyptus pauciflora1.jpg|thumb|left|Flowers]]
[[File:Eucalyptus pauciflora1.jpg|thumb|left|Flowers]]
Snow Gums occur as woodlands and open woodlands between 1300 m and 1800 m in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Tasmania]], [[New South Wales]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]], where they form the altitudinal limit of the [[tree line]]. The distribution of the lowland form extends a short distance across the [[Queensland]] and [[South Australia]]n borders. Because of land clearing, few stands of lowland Snow Gum remain, and considerable efforts are being put into preserving the remnants.
Snow gums occur as woodlands and open woodlands at altitudes of {{convert|1300|-|1800|m|0|abbr=on}} in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, where they form the altitudinal limit of the [[tree line]]. The distribution of the lowland form extends a short distance across the Queensland and South Australian borders. Because of land clearing, few stands of lowland snow gum remain, and considerable efforts are being put into preserving the remnants.

⚫
Snow Gums regenerate from seed, by [[epicormic shoot]]s below the bark, and from lignotubers. It is the most cold-tolerant species of [[Eucalyptus]], with subsp. niphophila surviving temperatures down to about -23°C and year-round frosts. It has been introduced to [[Norway]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.git-forestry.com/EucalyptusInScandinavia.htm | title=Snow gum in Norway}}</ref>


⚫
''E. pauciflora'' regenerates from seed, by [[epicormic shoot]]s below the bark, and from lignotubers. It is the most cold-tolerant species of eucalyptus, with ''E. pauciflora'' subsp. ''niphophila'' surviving temperatures down to {{convert|-23|C|F|abbr=on}} and year-round frosts. It has been [[introduced species|introduced]] to Norway.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.git-forestry.com/EucalyptusInScandinavia.htm | title=Snow gum in Norway}}</ref>
⚫
In Tasmania the species hybridizes with [[Eucalyptus coccifera|Tasmanian snow gum]] and [[Eucalyptus amygdalina]] <ref>Kirkpatrick, J. B. & Backhouse, Sue. (2004), ''Native trees of Tasmania'' illustrations Sue Backhouse Pandani Press, Sandy Bay, Tas. (Seventh Edition) ISBN 646-43088-2. pp. 92-93</ref>


⚫
In Tasmania the species [[Hybrid (biology)#Hybrid plants|hybridizes]] with ''[[Eucalyptus coccifera]]'' and ''[[Eucalyptus amygdalina]]''.<ref>Kirkpatrick, J. B. & Backhouse, Sue. (2004), ''Native trees of Tasmania'' illustrations Sue Backhouse Pandani Press, Sandy Bay, Tas. (Seventh Edition) ISBN 646-43088-2. pp. 92-93</ref>
==See also==
* [[Eucalyptus regnans|Mountain-ash]]
* [[Eucalyptus delegatensis|Alpine-ash]]
* ''[[Eucalyptus]]''


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 09:59, 13 November 2012

Eucalyptus pauciflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Myrtales
Family:
Myrtaceae
Genus:
Eucalyptus
Species:
E. pauciflora
Binomial name
Eucalyptus pauciflora
Sieber ex Spreng.

Eucalyptus pauciflora (snow gum) is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is a small tree or large shrub growing 4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall, occasionally reaching 20 m (66 ft), and native to subalpine and lowland habitats in eastern Australia.

Description

The bark of Eucalyptus pauciflora is smooth and white to light grey or sometimes brown-red, shedding in patches or strips to give a mottled appearance. The grey-green adult leaves are usually lanceolate to broadly-lanceolate with distinct parallel veins, but may be narrowly ovate.

Rather than losing its leaves in winter/autumn, the tree adapts to the weight of snow by progressively bending its branches so that the outermost branches extend vertically down and snow is shed from the leaves.

Subspecies

Snow Gum, Australian Alps, showing the tree's ability to survive in deep snow
Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora), Australian Alps, showing how the branches bend rather than break with the weight of the snow and how this causes snow to be lost from the leaves

Six subspecies are recognised, treated as species by some botanists:

  • E. pauciflora subsp. pauciflora, the nominate subspecies, with non-glaucous buds. This is by far the most widespread form.
  • E. pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei, syn. E. debeuzevillei, the Jounama Snow Gum, with glaucous angular buds. This is found only in the far south-east of New South Wales.
  • E. pauciflora subsp. niphophila, syn. E. niphophila, with glaucous non-angular buds. This is found in the highest parts of the Australian Alps, straddling the Victoria - New South Wales border.
  • E. pauciflora subsp. hedraia, with sessile glaucous buds. Restricted to the Falls Creek and Mount Bogong area, Victoria.
  • E. pauciflora subsp. parvifructa, with small adult leaves and small, slightly glaucous buds. Restricted to above 900m altitude on the Mount William Range, the Grampians, Victoria.
  • E. pauciflora subsp. acerina, with glossy adult leaves and non-glaucous buds (smaller than subsp. pauciflora). Restricted to above 1200m altitude in the vicinity of the Baw Baw Plateau, Victoria.

Range

Flowers

Snow gums occur as woodlands and open woodlands at altitudes of 1,300–1,800 m (4,265–5,906 ft) in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, where they form the altitudinal limit of the tree line. The distribution of the lowland form extends a short distance across the Queensland and South Australian borders. Because of land clearing, few stands of lowland snow gum remain, and considerable efforts are being put into preserving the remnants.

E. pauciflora regenerates from seed, by epicormic shoots below the bark, and from lignotubers. It is the most cold-tolerant species of eucalyptus, with E. pauciflora subsp. niphophila surviving temperatures down to −23 °C (−9 °F) and year-round frosts. It has been introduced to Norway.[1]

In Tasmania the species hybridizes with Eucalyptus coccifera and Eucalyptus amygdalina.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Snow gum in Norway".
  2. ^ Kirkpatrick, J. B. & Backhouse, Sue. (2004), Native trees of Tasmania illustrations Sue Backhouse Pandani Press, Sandy Bay, Tas. (Seventh Edition) ISBN 646-43088-2. pp. 92-93
Snow gum woodland below the Stillwell Ridge, left and center, showing clear tree line below the ridge

Further reading

  • Eucalyptus from Alpine Australia. Notes on taxonomy and cultivation in cold temperate climates] Iglesias Trabado, Gustavo (2007). In: EUCALYPTOLOGICS
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