84 



DESCRIPTION, 



CCXXXIX. E. maculata Hook. 



In Icones Plantarum, t. 619 (1844). The figure shows mature leaves, 



buds and flowers. 



Following is a translation of the original description : — 



A tall tree, the trunk spotted, leaves alternate, petiolate, lanceolate, drawn out into a long point, 

 pellucid-dotted, purplish at the edges, copiously and distinctly veined, obliquely spreading, panicles axillary 

 and terminal, sparsely branched, shorter than the leaves, operculum double, the external one conical- 

 hemispherical, mucronate, shorter than the sub-angled calyx-tube, the interior one (the corolla) hemi- 

 spherical membranous, shining. Spotted Gum, MSS. No. 37. (The type is therefore doubtless Backhouse's 

 No. 37 from the Maitland district, see p. 87.) 



The rest of the description is in English, and is as follows : — 



A large tree, Mr. Backhouse observes, of which the baik falls off in patches, giving it a spotted 

 appearance. The timber is nearly equal to oak, but the sap or outer layers decay rapidly. The lid or 

 operculum is double, inner one membranaceous ; this inner one has justly been considered by Mr. Brown 

 as the corolla, and it here forms an.exactly hemispherical glossy membranaceous cup, which often continues 

 to adhere after the outer one has .fallen away. " The gum from the tree contains benzoic acid." 

 (Backhouse.) 



It is described as follows by Bentham : — ■ 



A lofty tree with a smooth bark falling off in patches so as to give the trunk a spotted appearance. 

 Leaves ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, straight or falcate, acuminate, mostly 4 to 6 inches long or even 

 more, with numerous parallel but rather oblique veins, not so close as in the preceding species (E. pyrophora), 

 and rather coarse, tbe intramarginal one close to the edge. Umbels 3-floweicd, usually several together, on 

 short leafless branches, forming a panicle or corymb. Peduncles and pedicels short and thick, scarcely 

 angular. Calyx-tube in the young bud shortly cylindrical, when open broadly turbinate, 3 to 4 lines 

 diameter. Operculum hemispherical, much shorter than the calyx-tube, the outer one much thicker and 

 more persistent than in most species where it has been observed, and usually umbonate or shortly 

 acuminate, the inner one (corresponding to the single one of most species) thin, obtuse, smooth and 

 shining. Stamens attaining 4 or 5 lines ; anthers ovate with parallel distinct cells opening longitudinally. 

 Ovary flat-topped. Fruit ovoid-urceolate, usually about i- inch long, and nearly as much in diameter, 

 the rim narrow, the capsule deeply sunk. (B.F1. hi, 258.) 



Mueller figured and described it in the " Eucalyptographia." Some additional 

 notes on the species, which need not be reprinted here, will be found at Vol. I, p. 154 

 of my " Forest Flora of New South Wales." 



This is the common Spotted Gum of New South Wales and Queensland, because 

 of the mottled appearance of its smooth bark. There are other Spotted Gums, but 

 none more characteristic in appearance than this. 



