GROUP VI. E. CORDATA. E. GUNNII. 
projection; anthers with longitudinal and nearly parallel openings. Ripe seed cup 
up to Vzin. wide by %in. in depth, the shape being somewhat like that ot a very 
short urn, open valves very slightly above rim. Mature wood pa e, u 11 y no 
known. E. cordata is one of the few species of Eucalyptus that retain the sessile 
form of leaf throughout life. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
E. cordata is not a timber yielder, but it may find a very welcome place in 
parks and gardens where there is demand for shrubs and trees that can en uie 
severe frosts. The sessile, heart-shaped, glaucous leaves with clusters of fruits 
make a very handsome and striking appearance. A specimen rather badly 
suppressed by larger trees may be seen in the Botanic Grardens, Christchurch, 
and one or two in the State Forests Grounds, Rotorua. 
A species found on the south-eastern mainland and called E. cinerea on 
account of its ashy appearance is very similar in botanical characters to E. 
cordata. The mainland tree differs from its island relative by sometimes breaking 
into the stalked form of leaf, by having entire margins to its leaves, and by 
producing somewhat smaller fruits. In the Langdale Domain, Wairarapa, young 
trees representing the two species may be seen growing near together. 
67. E. GUNNII Hooker f. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
In earlier Eucalyptus literature the definition of this species was extended to 
include as varieties the trees now grouped by Maiden under the name E. ovata, 
viz. E. accrvula and E. paludosa. A stricter definition excludes these trees and 
restricts the specific name E. Gunnii to (a) the Tasmanian mountain tree locally 
called “cider-gum” and (b) certain closely similar forms found at high altitudes 
in Victoria and New South Wales. As thus understood E. Gunnii is a medium¬ 
sized to large tree, of branching habit when grown in open situations, but capable 
of forming a long clean bole when surrounded by other trees. 
The dead bark is non-fibrous and comes off in sheets or scales, leaving the 
stem and branches more or less smooth and of a pale greenish-grey colour. 
Leaves in the juvenile stage short, round or oval, sessile or on very short stalks; 
those of adult trees stalked, nearly equal-sided, about Sin. long by I£in. to 94in. in 
width. Umbel very constantly 3-flowered; lid of bud a low conical cap; calyx tube 
(unripe seed-cup) small, deep, narrow; anthers with longitudinal and nearly 
parallel openings. Ripe seed-cup up to %in. in depth and a little less in width. 
Valves usually three in number and in the Tasmanian form deeply enclosed. 
The mature wood of E. Gunnii, like that of all other alpine eucalypts, is 
pale in colour. It is said to be extremely hard and very heavy. Owing, however, 
to the high altitudes at which the trees grow in their native habitat, it has come 
very little into use. There are no available reports on its resistance to decay 
when placed in contact with the ground. Until, therefore, competent tests can be 
made in our own country we must be content with a favourable inference from the 
density and good appearance of the wood. For best posts and poles twenty years 
in good condition would seem a reasonable anticipation. 
