52 
GROUP III. E. NUMEROSA. E. PIPERITA. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Specimens of E. Muelleriana planted at Whakarewarewa were frosted back 
in the Sapling stage, but spronted fgain and are now tall trees with ggejsup 
to 1ft 6m. The species is receiving increasing attention m Ne« r Zealand, an 
L now being planted in several North Island localities To ensure best results 
in future plantings, seed should be obtained from certified and approved trees l 
Western Gippsland, Victoria, or in upland districts of New South Wales. E. 
Muelleriana is one of the species to which we must look for future supplies of posts 
and wire-carrying poles. 
37. E. NUMEROSA Maiden. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
It is said that this species nowhere forms a continuous pure forest, but is 
sparsely distributed in moist valleys and on the rocky sides of gullies along the 
eastern ranges from Gippsland in Victoria to about the latitude of Newcastle m 
New South Wales. Trees small to medium in size, only rarely reaching heights 
much above 80ft. The dead bark is at first ribbony and deciduous from all parts 
of the tree; then gradually becomes persistent and of the “peppermint” type 
from the ground up the stem to the large branches. Leaves in the juvenile stage 
sessile, long, lance-shaped, thin; those of the adult tree up to 7in. long, narrow, 
thin, drooping. Umbel with numerous flowers, sometimes up to 30 or more; stalk 
and stalklets both very slender; lid of bud low, with central point; anthers with 
divergent and connected openings. Ripe seed-cup 3/16in. to / 4 in. in depth and in 
lateral diameter, pear-shaped or round; stalklets or pedicels usually so slender as 
to be a distinguishing character of the species. Mature wood white, fissile, 
suitable for work in dry situations but not for contact with the ground. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
In looking for this species in our New Zealand plantations the student must 
be careful not to confuse it with E. amygdalina and E. radiata. The true E. 
numerosa has small pilular fruits on very slender stalklets. The fruits of E. 
amygdalina and E. radiata are hemispherical and their stalklets shorter and 
thicker. E . numerosa scarcely ranks as a timber tree, but is well worthy of a 
place in ornamental arboreta. Seed should be obtained through the New South 
Wales Forest Service. 
38. E. PIPERITA Smith. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
Species widely distributed in New South Wales, and especially abundant on 
the Blue Mountains. In open situations spreading and ornamental; in dense 
stands tall with clear bole up to 2ft. and more in diameter. Dead bark of 
“peppermint” type, persistent on stem, deciduous from branches. Leaves in 
juvenile stage at first sessile, heart-shaped at base, rounded or pointed at apex, 
a little paler on under surface; on adult tree stalked, 3in. to 6in. long, unbalanced, 
same green on both surfaces. Umbel with numerous flowers; stalk up to /6in., 
