Hill and Johnson, Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) 
523 
Section Adnatnrin is a large and widespread group, occurring through all of Australia 
except Tasmania and the far south-west of Western Australia. The group is probably 
monophyletic, defined by the adnate anthers and petiolate early seedling leaves. 
Maximum diversity is reached in eastern Australia, with the greatest of infrasectional 
variety. A total of about 125 species in about 14 series can be recognised; only series 
Oligatlthae being discussed here. The nature and definition of several of the possible 
series requires further study, and no key to the series is presented. 
Series Oliganthae 
Bark persistent, shortly fibrous and flaky ('box'), sometimes shedding on branches or 
throughout in subseries Microthecosae. Seedling leaves petiolate, opposite for few 
nodes (many in subseries Pruinorosae). Adult leaves similifacial, densely regularly 
reticulate, lateral veins regular, at 40-60° to midrib. Pith glands absent. Inflorescences 
axillary or on leafless lateral or apparently terminal shoots (pseudoterminal), 
compounded with aggregations of unit 7-flowered umbellasters; or irregular in 
subseries Microthecosae (units are not regularly umbelliform, but have varying degrees 
of intemode development). Calycine calyptra free from corolla, shed before anthesis. 
Stamens all fertile, filaments irregularly flexed in bud. Anthers adnate, globular to 
oblong, opening by broad lateral pores or short slits. Fruit persistent or dehiscing 
immediately on maturing. Seeds elliptical, shallowly reticulate; hilum ventral. 
Defined within the section by the regular leaf venation, the free calycine calyptra 
shedding before anthesis, the absence of staminodes, and the irregularly flexed 
filaments with more or less globose anthers. These characters are probably all 
plesiomorphic within Adnataria, but the Oliganthae also appear to share a common 
biogeographic history. 
Series Oliganthae was first recognised as a distinct taxonomic group in 1971 (Pryor & 
Johnson 1971). The first taxa in the group to be described were E. oligantha and 
E. pruinosa, named by Schauer (1843). These were followed by E. leptophleba, 
E. microtheca, E. patellaris and E. spodophylla (a later synonym of E. pruinosa), named by 
Mueller (1859). 
Bentham (1867) recognised five species, placing them in series Porantherae (E. pruinosa 
and E. oligantha), series Micrantherae (E. microtheca, mistakenly as E. brachypoda, and 
E. leptophleba), and series Normales subseries Subexsertae (E. patellaris). 
Species of this group were included in anther series Porantheroideae by Maiden 
(Crit. Revis. Eucalyptus 1903-1933, 6: 529), together with species from many other 
groups. Maiden later (Crit. Revis. Eucalyptus 1903-1933, 7:121) placed these species in 
seed series Striolatae, again with taxa from very many other groups. 
Blakely (1934) recognised 14 species, which he placed in section Macrantherae, series 
Paniculatae subseries Oliganthae (E. argillacea), section Porantheroideae series Buxeales 
subseries Subplatyphyllae, Megaphyllae, Boreales and Protrusae (most species), and series 
Siderophloiae subseries ]ugatae (E. pruinosa). 
Blake (1953) recognised eight species in the Northern Territory, placing seven of them 
(along with E. normantonensis Maiden & Cambage) in series Buxeales, and the eighth 
with the ironbarks in series Siderophloiae (E. pruinosa). 
Pryor and Johnson (1971) recognised a series Oliganthae with ten species (including 
E. rummeryi Maiden, now excluded, and not including E. pruinosa). This series was 
included in the wider group of boxes and ironbarks, section Adnataria in subgenus 
Symphyomyrtus. We later revised the circumscription of the Oliganthae to exclude 
E. rummeryi and include E. pruinosa (in lists privately circulated to some eucalypt workers). 
