EUCAL YPTUS. 



EUCALYPTUS ROBU5TA, 



For convenience we may consent to the name Eucalyp- 

 tus robusta for the fine tree thus known in California. It 

 is, however, either a variety or another species, probably 

 Eucalyptus Kirtoniana. The variation in our so-called 

 Eucalyptus robusta from the true type, seems to be only 

 in the flower cap. In the typical Eucalyptus robusta this 

 cap is much broader than the calyx tube, bulging out some- 

 thing like the cap of Eucalyptus gomphocephala, while in 

 the tree we have as Eucalyptus robusta the cap is long 

 and not broader than the calyx tube. 



Eucalyptus robusta is a good fast grower, and among the 

 handsomest of the genus. It has large, dark green leaves, 

 and, like so many of the Eucalypti, flowers early and pro- 

 fusely. The flowers are cream colored. We know that 

 Eucalyptus robusta has done well on the bluff at Santa 

 Monica, in Los Angeles, and in the San Gabriel Valley. 

 The tree is a swamp tree, and naturally takes to low wet 

 ground, and thrives even in sour and alkali land. I was 

 surprised to find it doing so exceptionally well in upland 

 situations. Eucalyptus robusta has not been tried very 

 long here, and it may not continue to grow fast after a few 

 years. Many Australian trees, especially in the acacias, 

 grow wonderfully for four or five years and then become 

 scrawny and miserable. The Grevillia, with its feathery 

 foliage and deep yellow flowers, is one of these beautiful 

 disappointments. Eucalyptus robusta is very promising, 

 but in the numerous forest plantations of South Australia, 

 the largest and most complete forest stations dealing with 

 Eucalypti in the world, it seems but little noticed. 



This colony has 29 forest stations and several small ex- 



