332 



DESCRIPTION. 



XXXVIII. Eucalyptus leptophleba, F.v.M. 



Jourit. Linn. Soc, iii, 86 (1859). 

 The original description is in Latin, and may be translated as follows : — 



A tree ; the branches below nearly terete, and above slightly angled ; leaves alternate, scarcely 

 petiolate, falcate-lanceolate, without evident oil-dots, very finely veined, intramarginal vein but little 

 removed from the edge ; umbels axillary and terminal, 3-5 flowered, in pairs, in threes, or in panicles ; 

 peduncles angled ; pedicels shorter ; the tube of the calyx semiovate ; fruits semiovate, not ribbed, 4-5 

 celled ; the valves deltoid, acuminate, and sunk below the rim. 



Habitat. — In grass land near the Gilbert River. Flowering in summer. 



A small or large tree ; bark of a dirty grey, rugose, fissured on the trunk and persistent on the 

 branches. Leaves mostly 3-5 inches long, up to 1 inch broad. Primary peduncles equalling or exceeding 

 the petioles. Pedicels of the calyx variable, shorter than the tube. Fruit 3-4 lines long, not contracted 

 at the orifice. Valves with tips scarcely exserted. Near to E. patdlaris. 



It is briefly described in B.P1. iii, 221. 



Notes supplementary to the description. 



E. leptophleba, or Blackbutt, is a large tree of quick growth, rising to a height of about 100 feet, 

 with a diameter of 3-4 feet ; bark dark, persistent, and separating, into numerous small pieces (similar to 

 that of E. tesselaris) on the trunk, grey, smooth, and deciduous on the branches. This tree has the 

 general appearance of E. tereticomis, with the bark of E. tesselaris and the fruit of E. crebra. The wood 

 is red, hard, and durable, but not much used, iu consequence of being generally hollow in the centre. It is 

 only known from Queensland, and is dispersed through the scrubby country westward from Gaganjo. — 

 (P. O'Shanesy, Rockhampton). 



" Yndhulwan " is the aboriginal name, according to Mr. O'Shanesy. 



Attention is invited to the fact that this species is variously described as 

 " Jronbark" and " Box." This is not the only Ironbark which becomes a Box as 

 tropical regions are approached, and E. crebra and E. melanophloia may be mentioned 

 in this connection. It would appear that the outer bark becomes flatter and more 

 fibrous, or softer and more flaky, in warm regions. 



The silky sheen of leaves of E. leptophleba (or drepanophylla) appears to be a 

 character. 



The kino of E. drepanophylla is described by C. Mannich in Jburn. Pharm., 

 Chim., (6) xvi, 216; abstract in Pharm. Journ., xv (4), 523 (November, 1902). 



SYNONYM. 



E. drepanophylla, F.v.M., in B.B1. iii, 221 (1866). 

 In the " Eucalyptograpbia," under E. siderophloia, Mueller speaks of " E. 

 drepanophylla, which may be perhaps a mere variety of the imperfectly-known 

 E. leptophleba." 



