The South Australian Naturalist. 
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[ SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TREES. 
No. 5. Candlebark Gum, Eucalyptus rubida. Deane and Maiden. 
By Ernest H. Ising and Wm. Ham. 
I. GENERAL. 
This Eucalypt was named in 1899 by Messrs. Deane and 
Maiden from specimens collected in southern New South Wales 
(2). Although it has only been comparatively recently named it 
had long been confused with the manna gum {E. viminalis). It 
is even now difficult in the field to distinguish from the latter 
as the general appearance is very often the same in both. How- 
ever, the pink or reddish patches on the candlebark trunk, its 
rounded or oval young leaves and Its habitat (usually in damp gul- 
lies) help to distinguish it from the manna gum. It is known 
as “White Gum” and “Candlebark Gum” in the Mount Lofy 
Ranges. In the other States it has various vernacular names, such 
as: — “Flooded”, “Bastard White”, “Drooping”, “Spotted” and 
“Yellow Gum.” 
II. BOTANICAL. 
The specific name “rubida” was given In reference to the red- 
dish patches or blotches which are often seen on the clear white 
trunk. 
The Bark. (See fig. 1.) The bark Is usually very white 
and smooth, the boles standing erect like giant candles, contras- 
ting vividly with the dark rough trunks of the strlngybark at 
Mount Lofty. Sometimes the trunk has definite patches of green- 
ish or reddish bark which spoils the candle-like effect. In late 
summer the bark peels in long ribbons, which finally fall off. At 
Mount Lofty one tree has sharp spikes standing out more than 
half an inch from the trunk and reminiscent of a red gum seen at 
Gumeracha lately. Often, too, the bark is frosted or chalky. 
The Leaves. The juvenile form is circular in its earliest 
stages and about an Inch in diameter developing gradually into 
an oval shape; they are in pairs, sometimes in three, and have a 
bloom on them resulting In an attractive pale silvery-grey colour. 
This class of leaf will be produced for 2 or 3 years and is then 
succeeded by a broad lance-shaped pointed leaf of about 6 inches 
in length with a tapering apex and a broad base. The mature 
leaves are mid-green in colour and have shining surfaces, 
Th^ Buds. The buds are short, about Inch long, with a 
blunt cap and are often in threes, although they are found with 
as many as 7 together in a head. The heads are produced singly 
in the axils of the leaves. 
The Flowers. The flowers are small with white stamens 
but are not prominent in the flowering period which Is mid- 
summer, i.e., January and February, The anthers are ovate 
oblong, opening by longitudinal pores. 
