PEINCIPAL SPECIES OF EUCALYPTS GROWN IN AMERICA. 83 



tree 24 years old was measured that had a circumference of 16 feet 

 (and therefore a diameter of over 5 feet) 2 feet from the ground, 

 and an approximate height of 100 feet, (See Pis. XLVI, XLVII, 

 XLV11I, XL1X.) The surface of the bark varies considerably in 

 appearance. That of the trunk and main branches is' commonly per- 

 sistent, but from some trees long, slender, strips are shed, leaving the 

 trunk smooth and of a greenish or reddish creamy color. The per- 

 sistent bark is brownish in color, furrowed, and rough. The bark of 

 the branches in nearly all cases flakes off, leaving them smooth. This 

 tree has the peculiar characteristic of exuding a honey -like substance, 

 called "lerp" by the natives, but better known as "manna," when 

 the bark is punctured or wounded by insects. 



The small branches, which are reddish, commonly droop considerably, 

 sometimes giving the tree a willow- like appearance. The leaves of the 

 young plant and of suckers are stemless, slender pointed, with broad 

 bases, and placed opposite on the stem. On the older trees they are 

 narrower, pointed at each end and set on stems. According to Baron 

 von Mueller, the sap of the leaves is rich in sugar, there being over 13 

 per cent in them when dry. The flowers are of about medium size, on 

 rather slender stalks. There is considerable variation in the number 

 of flowers in each cluster. On some trees the flowers are quite uni- 

 formly in clusters of 3, but on others they are in clusters of 3 to 7. 

 This variation in the inflorescence in conjunction with the variation in 

 bark structure makes the species somewhat difficult to recognize. The 

 covering of the flower buds is approximately cone-shaped, usually the 

 shape of a low, broad cone. The seed cases are top-shaped, or nearly 

 globular, the valves of those that have dropped their seeds protruding 

 conspicuously. (See PI. LXXX.) 



Climatic requirements— This Eucalypt grows under quite a variety 

 of climatic conditions. In the Southwest it thrives near the coast, on 

 dry mesas, in the elevated valleys of the interior, and in the hot valleys 

 of much of the desert region. It endures minimum temperatures of 

 15 to 20° F., and maximum temperatures of 110° to 115° F. Thrifty 

 specimens can be seen in the vicinity of San Francisco, Santa Barbara, 

 and Los Angeles, Cal., at Yuma, Ariz., and near Phoenix, Ariz. (See 

 Pis. XLVII, XLVIII, and XLIX.) 



{foes.— The timber of this tree is less valuable than that of most 

 Eucalypts. It is not durable underground and does not make the best 

 of fuel. In Australia it is used for shingles and for rough building 

 material. The tree can be grown for a forest cover, for wind breaks. 

 for fuel, and for shade in many localities where a species producing a 

 better timber can not be grown; but there are probably few situations 

 where this tree can be grown in which a more desirable inc. such as 

 the Red Gum {Eucafo/ptus rostrata), can not also be grown. 



