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E. bridgesiana in its overall smaller stature and smaller parts such as juvenile leaves, 
buds and fruit (Table 1). Unlike E. bridgesiana, the calyptra is hemispherical rather than 
conical, being distinctly broader than long. 
Table 1. Comparison of selected characters for Eucalyptus saxicola and Eucalyptus bridgesiana. 
E. bridgesiana measurements based on measurement of material held at UNE and the sources 
Chippendale (1988), Hill (1991) and Brooker & Kleinig (1999). 
Eucalyptus saxicola 
Eucalyptus bridgesiana 
Plant height (in m) 
6-15 
8-22 
Juvenile leaf length (in cm) 
1.5-4 
4-10 
Juvenile leaf width (in cm) 
1.5-4 
4-8 
Juvenile & sucker stems 
Strongly glandular to erect warty 
Smooth to glandular 
(some distinctly so) 
Peduncle 
Flattened to ovoid 
Terete to angular 
Pedicel length (in mm) 
0-3 
2-5 
Calyptra length (in mm) 
1.5-2.3 
3-5 
Calyptra width (in mm) 
23-2.7 
3-5 
Calyptra shape 
Hemispherical, broader than long 
Conical, as long or 
longer than broad 
Fruit length (in mm) 
3.5-5.2 
5-7 
Fruit valves 
Level or rarely exerted 
Exserted 
Conservation status: Eucalyptus saxicola has a population estimated to be fewer than 
200 individuals. The stands are not continuous and are scattered over an almost linear 
1 km stretch on the northern flank of Mt Canobolas. The metapopulations of this 
species are likely to have been reduced in size due to road works with three major 
access trails passing through stands. Of particular importance is the main access road 
to the summit that cuts through the largest occurrence of this species. The road itself 
is build up and may still cause major impacts on the species. Other threats are also 
apparent including high visitor pressure, dumping of cars and their incineration is a 
regular practice, blackberry invasion and the small total population size. Other 
populations may have existed outside of the reserve in similar habitats that are now 
under extensive Pinus radiata plantation. Due to the highly restricted distribution, low 
population size and current impacts on the population by road works and visitor 
pressure an initial ROTAP code of 2ECt according to the criteria of Briggs and Leigh 
(1996) is suggested. Inclusion on the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 as 
Endangered would be desirable. 
Etymology: the specific epithet is from the Latin, saxum meaning stone, rock and cola, 
dweller, and is in reference to the highly restricted occurrence of this species on and 
around the margins of rock outcrops. 
Acknowledgments 
Project management of the two surveys was by Amanda Bryant and assistance in the 
field was given by Steve Woodall both of the Central West Region of the New South 
Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales. Thanks to Vanessa 
