510 
Telopea 8(4): 2000 
Section Exsertaria, the Red Gums 
Cotyledons shallowly obreniform. Juvenile leaves linear to ovate, petiolate, opposite 
for 3-6 nodes (more in neotenous species of series Albae). Adult leaves similifacial, 
venation open, reticulate, more than one oil gland per vein island. Oil glands not 
present in pith. Bark shedding regularly, or irregularly in ± large flakes, or persistent, 
shortly fibrous-flaky. Calyptra clearly divided into calycine and corolline segments, 
calycine calyptra shed very early or retained until near anthesis in some members of 
series Bancroftianae. Filaments erect or inflexed in bud. Anthers obovate, dorsifixed, 
versatile, cells distinct, dehiscing through long parallel slits. Gland relatively large, 
ovate or orbicular. Filaments gently apically tapered to a fine point attached near 
gland. Disc lobed in bud, inner face free from ovary; or disc absent in bud, upper wall 
of ovary differentiating to form a raised, disc-like structure in fruit. Ovules usually in 
6 vertical rows on placenta, rarely 4 or 8. Seeds variably shaped, variably reticulate, 
reticulum sharp-edged; hilutn ventral or terminal; testa single or double. 
The 'Red Gums' are a complex group comprising four series, parts of series Albae and 
Brevifoliae being discussed here. Tire red gum group is difficult to diagnose, and not 
unequivocally monophyletic. Possible synapomorphies for the group are the 
narrowed nectary disc, the proliferation of rows of ovules on the placenta, and the 
openly reticulate venation with several oil glands per vein island. Within the group, 
series Tereticornes and Bancroftianae show apomorphic seed coat characters, and the 
erect filaments and terminal hilum may be synapomorphies uniting the two groups. 
Series Albae shows variation in seed coat character, although within a relatively 
narrow range, and series Brevifoliae shows distinct apomorphic seed structure. The 
