34 Forage Plants of Australia. 





ORDER, MYRTACE.E, 



EUCALYPTUS COEYNOCALYX, P. v. M. 

 " Sugar G-uin." 



Flora Amir., Vol. Ill, p. 218. 



A LAUGE growing timber tree often attaining a height of 120 ft. The leaves 

 are somewhat variable, but mostly ovate-lanceolate in shape, and from 3 inches 

 to 5 inches in length, thick and stiff, with numerous oblique veins. The flowers, 

 usually from six to twelve or more, are arranged on stalks from % to 1 inch 

 long, as illustrated at figure 1. At figure 2 is illustrated the fruit, which is 

 ovate and often strongly ribbed, nearly i an inch long, contracted at the top, 

 and the capsule deeply sunk. This tree is found in South Australia, and 

 north-western Victoria. Baron Yon Mueller first directedmy attention to this 

 tree as a valuable forage plant both for cattle and sheep. They are very fond 

 of it on account of the sweetness of its leaves, and when the more tender 

 herbage fails, the foliage of this tree is a valuable stand-by for the pastoralist. 

 To Mr. J. E. Brown, Conservator of Forests, South Australia, I am indebted 

 for the specimen from which the drawing was made, I have raised plants from 

 seed which was obtained from Baron Mueller, but my experience of it is that it 

 is not a quick-growing tree in the coastal districts of New South "Wales. How- 

 ever, we cannot do better than quote both the Baron and Mr. J. E. Brown's 

 experiences of this tree, as given in the " Select Plants." " A timber tree 

 attaining a height of 120 ft., length of bole to 60 ft., circumference at 5 ft., 

 from the ground reaching 17 ft. The wood remarkably heavy, very dense, 

 hard and strong, less liable to warp than any other kind of eucalyptus wood. 

 It comes into use for fence posts and railway sleepers, naves, and felloes. 

 Its durability is attested by the fact that posts set in the ground fifteen 

 years showed no signs of decay. The tree thrives well, even on dry ironstone 

 ranges. The base of the trunk often swells out in irregular tiers. The 

 sweetish foliage attracts cattle and sheep, which browse on the lower branches, 

 as w r ell as on saplings and seedlings. Scarcely any other eucalypt is eaten 

 (South Australia)." In ordinary culture, Baron Mueller does not find this 

 species of quick growth. But Mr. Brown states, that, under favorable circum- 

 stances it will grow 1 foot a month. It is one of the most valuable of all 

 trees for the dry and arid regions of South Australia ; has grown 7 to 8 

 feet in a year at Quorn ; and has withstood a temperature of 18 deg Pah. in 

 the south of Prance. The seeds should be sown on land that has been 

 broken up and harrowed. The early autumn months after rainfall are the 

 best, but failing this September or October will do. 



