40 
GROUP II. E. ROBUSTA. E. SIDEROPHLOIA. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Specimens of E. resinifera are under observation on the Auckland Isthmus 
and in other northern localities, but are nowhere yet of sufficient promise to 
encourage more than experimental planting of the species in especially warm and 
genial situations. Seed should be obtained from certified trees in coolest part of 
the natural habitat in New South Wales. 
23. E. ROBUSTA Smith. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
Natural habitat eastern New South Wales and southern Queensland. At its 
best on damp lowlands not far from sea. Tree there a sturdy grower up to 80ft. 
or more in height. Dead bark persistent on stem and large branches, soft, brittle, 
ultimately very thick and deeply furrowed. Leaves in juvenile stage already 
stalked, often very large; those of adult tree up to 6in. or 7in. long by 2in. wide, 
thick, balanced, shiny on upper surface. Umbel with several flowers; stalk lin. 
flattened, stalklets Min.; lid of bud thick, beak-like, exceeding in diameter rim of 
unripe seed-cup, cream-coloured; anthers with nearly parallel openings. Ripe 
seed-cup %in. deep by Min. wide, 3- or 4-celled; valves deeply placed, remain 
adherent (united) at points after escape of seed. Mature wood red, hard, durable 
in wet ground. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
E. robusta requires a warm climate and a seaboard situation. It has grown 
to a fair size on the Auckland Isthmus and at the Hutt near Wellington. Air. H. 
A. Goudie reports having noted a vigorous young tree at Taikorea in the 
Manawatu. Far inland, as at Cambridge and Piako, a few specimens have 
survived the frosts, but after many years of life are still mere bushes. At 
“Sherwood”, Muriwai, near Gisborne (Williams Bros.) E. botryoides and E. 
robusta planted together in best conditions for comparison show a ratio of growth 
of about six to one in favour of E. botryoides. Very generally in New Zealand 
E. robusta is showing liability to attack by insect enemies. It is in every respect 
inferior to both E. botryoides and E. saligna, and should not be further planted 
in this country. 
24. E. SIDEROPHLOIA Bentham. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
This is another of the ironbarks and a close competitor with E. ganiculata and 
E. crebra for first place in that distinguished group. It has a wide natural 
distribution in eastern Australia, its -range extending from a little south of Sydney 
to north of Rockhampton, and from near the seaboard westward over the lower 
tablelands. On the western slopes of the Dividing Range a glaucous variety is 
said to appear. In this great region the species enjoys a fair rainfall and mild 
climatic conditions, encountering severe frosts only where it ascends to higher 
altitudes. At its best E. siderojphloia reaches heights up to 100ft. and diameters up 
to 3ft. and even 4ft.; but so keen is the demand for its timber that all larger 
specimens within reach of the mills are being rapidly cut out. Smaller trees cut 
