Description
Common names
Red Box, Poplar Box.
Scientific names
Eucalyptus polyanthemos.
Family
Myrtaceae.
Genus
Eucalyptus.
Name origin
Polyanthemos, from Greek poly, many, and anthemon, flower, referring to the many flower buds in each panicle.
Rainfall
500mm.
Growth rate
Moderate.
Growth height
Up to 20m.
Presence in Australia
Widespread in most catchments and districts on slopes and rises.
This specie has been identified in the following Australian states: Qld, NSW, ACT, Vic, SA.
Habitat
Grassy or sclerophyll woodland on light, shallow soils.
Habit
Tree to 20m high with short trunk and dense spreading crown of rounded dull grey-green or blue-green leaves. "Box" bark on trunk and larger branches.
Site preference
Well-drained soil. Tolerates frost and wind. Moderately drought tolerant.
Characteristics
Moderate growth rate.
Flowering
White, cream or pinkish, Sep-Dec. Profuse.
Seed collection
Early Mar to late Jun. Monitor seed-bearing capsules as seeds shed after maturity.
Propagation
From seed (±465 viable seeds per gram). Optimum germination temperature 320C.
Regeneration
From seed, particularly in absence of competitive exotic grasses or weeds, during wet summers. Regenerates well from lignotuber after fire, browsing or cutting. Establishes when direct seeded, but not vigorously.
Shade and shelter
Useful medium-level cover in windbreaks. Useful shade due to large spreading crown.
Land protection
Useful for recharge areas as uses large volumes of ground-water.
Fuel
Excellent.
Timber
Red, fine-textured, interlocked grain. Hard, strong and durable. Density about 1020 kg/m3. Dries slowly. Difficult to season. Used in fencing, turning, and for poles. Apparently moderately termite resistant. Suitable woodlot species for firewood (coppices readily) and sawn farm timber. Suitable for high value knot-free furniture timber if planted at high densities and regularly pruned.
Wildlife
Excellent habitat. Flowers are a nectar source for various native birds and insects. Insect-eating birds attracted. Birds such as treecreepers and sittellas glean bark. Native birds eat seeds and fruits. Koalas occasionally eat foliage. Hollows are nesting sites for various native birds and mammals.
Ornamental
Shapely, attractive specimen, shade and street tree.
Other
Leaves produce range of dyes depending on mordants used. Leaves high in cineole, useful in medicine. In America and France, grown for producing cut foliage for cut flower trade.