51 
GROUP III. E. MUELLERI AN A. 
all up the stem; the living bark when freshly stripped from the tree is yellow, and 
has given origin to two vernacular names, “yellow box” and “yellow jacket . 
Juvenile leaves very early stalked, oval; adult tree leaves sometimes still oval but 
more often broad-lance-shaped or narrow, of same dull green on both surfaces. 
Umbel on short thin stalk with several flowers on short stalklets; lid of bud 
domed or low-conical; anthers with terminal openings. Ripe seed-cup Min. or 
less in depth and width, slightly contracted towards orifice with ring round rim; 
valves, 4, 5, or 6, concealed by rim. Mature wood pale-coloured, hard, strong, 
durable in the ground, good fuel. The specific name means honey-scented, and the 
species merits the name by its abundant yield of high grade honey. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Fair specimens of E. melliodora may be seen in several New Zealand 
plantations; but no competent endeavour has yet been made to acclimatize the 
species in this country. Bee keepers everywhere within its climatic range should 
include it in their arboreta. Park managers should give it a place among their 
ornamental trees. But to ensure success seed must be obtained fiom appioved 
trees in cool parts of the natural habitat. By thus suitably selecting parent trees 
we may ultimately be able to grow the species over a wide range in the North 
Island. 
36. E. MUELLERIANA Howitt. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
This species is widely distributed in eastern Australia. It is a tree of the 
foothills and uplands, and is found flourishing at altitudes of about 1,000ft. It is 
probably at its optimum in western Gippsland. In parts of its habitat it has to 
endure winter temperatures several degrees below freezing point. The tree is of 
erect habit and attains a good medium size. Dead bark fibrous, persistent on stem 
and large branches, dark in colour, and cracked transversely as well as up and down 
the tree; inner surface of living bark yellow. Leaves in juvenile stage opposite, 
quite or nearly sessile, shiny on upper surface; in sapling stage large, balanced, 
shiny on upper surface and paler beneath; in adult tree stage unequal-sided and 
unbalanced, dark green, and shiny on both surfaces. Umbel with several flowers; 
stalk (peduncle) %m. long, stalklets (pedicels) short but distinct; lid of bud low 
with slight central point; anthers kidney-shaped with divergent openings. Ripe 
seed-cup %in. to Min. wide by a little less in depth, nearly spherical; valves 
usually hidden below rim, but sometimes slightly protruding. The fruits 
(seed-cups) are somewhat like those of E. pilularis; never so crowded in t e 
umbel as are those of E. capitellcita and E. eugenioides. 
Mature wood yellowish-brown, fissile, easily worked, and reported to be very 
durable either in the ground or in water. Some Australian authorities say that 
the timber of E. Muelleriana is superior in durability to that of E. eugenioides. 
The species thus comes to us with a highly favourable reputation. 
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