68 EUCALYPTS CULTIVATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Eucalyptus marginata. 

 Jarrah. 



Character tut! C*. — Under favorable conditions this tree grows to a 

 large size, being commonly straight and quite slender. Few American 

 specimens are over 30 feet high, however. The average height in 

 Australia is said to be 100 feet, and it sometimes reaches a diameter 

 of 10 to 15 feet there. The bark of the trunk is commonly persistent 

 and somewhat fibrous, but sometimes flakes off in strips. The leaves 

 vary from ovate to lance-shaped, usually somewhat curved. They 

 vary from thin to leathery in consistence. The flowers are quite large, 

 in clusters of 3 to 12, on conspicuous, somewhat flattened stalks. The 

 covering to the flower bud is long and tapering. The seed cases are 

 globular or egg-shaped, being from one-half to three-fourths of an 

 inch long. 



Climatic requirements. — In California the Jarrah does not thrive at 

 or near the coast. In interior valle} T s having moderate aridity and 

 heat it does some better, but at no point in America where it has been 

 set does it grow with sufficient rapidity and vigor to warrant planting- 

 it for commercial purposes. 



Uses. — In Australia and India the tree is prized for piles and ties. 

 It has the reputation of being unaffected by marine boring animals 

 and white ants. This characteristic has been thought to be due to the 

 presence of a high percentage of kino — 15 to 17 per cent — but is now 

 considered attributable to an acid principle contained in the wood. 

 It is also very durable under ground. 



Eucalyptus melliodora. 

 Yellow Box. 



Characteristics. — The trees of this species are commonly of medium 

 size and spreading habit, but are said occasionally to attain in Austra- 

 lia a heioht of 250 feet and a diameter of 6 to 8 feet. The trunks are 

 commonly crooked and gnarled, the outer bark of the trunk being of 

 a brownish-gra} T color and commonly persistent. (PI. XXXI.) The 

 inner bark is yellow, giving to the tree the name of " Yellow Box." 

 The branches are usually quite smooth. The leaves of the young tree 

 are often oval or oblong (PI. LXXXVII, a), but the prevailing shape 

 after a few years is lance or sickle shaped, both sides being of a dull- 

 green color. The flowers are of medium size and grow in compact 

 clusters with short stems. They emit a pleasant, honey-scented fra- 

 grance, a characteristic to which the name melliodora (the Latin for 

 " honey odor ") refers. The seed cases are nearby the shape of an egg 

 with the small end cut away. (See PI. LXVII.) 



Climatic requirements. — This species will grow near the coast, on 



