Native Trees

GHOST GUM, Eucalyptus papuana. Family: Myrtaceae Habit: shapely, moderate-sized tree 8-15m high with spreading crown and drooping foliage. Bark smooth white, occasionally with short scarf of flaky grey bark at the base. Deciduous. Flowers: small, creamy white, in groups of 3-6, in variable short-stalked clusters produced in leaf axils or occasionally terminally; bud caps rounded to flattened. Fruit: thin-walled, cup-like papery capsules, 0.8-1.2cm x 0.7-0.9cm. Flowering: September - December. Fruiting: October - December. Habitat: alluvial flats subject to seasonal flooding beside lowland freshwater streams, and fringing woodland in heavy loams and clay-loams; scattered in open woodland on hills, fringes of lowland monsoon forest or low coastal cliffs. Aboriginal uses: good firewood, burns well, not easily put out even in wet weather; ash of bark mixed with other substances for tobacco; gum used on legs to repel leeches; preparation from gum used as an antiseptic to treat sores, painful areas and open scars; infusion from bark drunk for colds, also used for bathing sore eyes. Distribution: Victoria River District; Katherine, Darwin; Alligator Rivers Region; Arnhem, Land; Melville Island; Gulf Region; Barkly Tablelands Region; Central North Region; Central Southern Region; Western Australia; Queensland; Papua New Guinea.

SALMON GUM: Eucalyptus alba. Family: Myrtaceae Habit: slender small tree generally 5-10m high, trunk often multi-stemmed; deciduous, salmon pink when new. Flowers: small, cream, in clusters of 3-7, on short stalks in leaf axils; buds with rounded caps. Fruit: hard woody cup-like capsules with sharp rim, 0.3-0.8cm x 0.3-0.8cm, valves at rim level or slightly protruding. Flowering: July-September. Fruiting: September - October. Habitat: open woodland, mainly on gravelly hillsides and stony ridges, growing, growing on shallow skeletal soils. Aboriginal uses: good firewood; source of nectar for bees; timber moderately hard, strong and durable. Distribution: Victoria River District; Darwin; Katherine; Alligator Rivers Region; Arnhem Land; Western Australia; Queensland; Papua New Guinea; Java; Timor.