Eucalyptus alligatrix subsp. alligatrix - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Eucalyptus alligatrix subsp. alligatrix

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 01 Aug 2024

Description

A spreading, woodland tree to 15 m tall, with thick, rough bark persistent to the small branches. Juvenile growth usually glaucous (dull blue-green in colour, with a whitish bloom); juvenile leaves always opposite, without a stalk, circular to ovate in shape, 2 – 4.5 cm long, 2.5 – 5 cm wide, margin entire or crenulate, green to grey-green or glaucous. Adult leaves disjunct (appearing alternate) or opposite, stalk 1 – 2 cm long, lance-shaped, 7 – 17 cm long, 1.5 – 13.5 cm wide, strongly glaucous, dull, same colour on both surfaces. Inflorescences (groups of buds or flowers) 3- or 7-flowered, the stalk of the group cylindrical or slightly flattened, 4 – 6 mm long. Stalk of each individual bud/flower more or less angular, 0 – 2 mm long. Buds ovoid or shortly spindle-shaped, glaucous, 6 – 8 mm long, about 4 mm diam., scar present; bud cap (calyptrya) conical, slightly shorter than the basal half of the bud. Fruit cup-shaped or broadly conical, with 3 or 4 cells, 5 – 17 mm long, 4 – 16 mm diam.; disc flat or slightly raised; valves prominently exserted. The subspecies is also described as a small to medium, spreading woodland tree with thick, fibrous bark persistent on the trunk and larger branches. Bark longitudinally furrowed, ‘stringy’, reddish-brown to grey-brown. The adult leaves are blue-green or light green, and inflorescences of 3 and 7 flowers occur on the same tree.

Distribution

Only known from a single location south-west of Rylstone; however, the species has reportedly been widely propagated and planted in the Rylstone area.

Habitat and ecology

The population is confined to an area of a few hectares where an estimated 3,000 to 4,500 trees survive. Most of the population consists of moderately dense regenerating stands following previous clearing, but there are also larger scattered paddock trees, probably pre-dating European settlement.
Grows in dry sclerophyll woodland on shallow relatively infertile soils (grey brown loam with ironstone). It may have been part of a more-extensive open woodland community prior to the commencement of clearing and grazing.
Associated trees include Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus melliodora, Eucalyptus rossii and Angophora floribunda.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Historic clearing and modification for landuse.
Overgrazing by stock may affect regeneration.
The distribution of the species is very restricted.
The population is small.
Potential for change in land use such as coal mining, subdivision or changed grazing practices.
Suppression of regeneration by rabbits.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 12 priority actions to help recover the Eucalyptus alligatrix subsp. alligatrix in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control grazing by domestic stock within and adjacent to the population.
Protect known habitat from clearing, fragmentation and disturbance.
Undertake surveys in potential habitat in order to identify additional populations.
Investigate reproductive biology and ecology, in particular with regard to determining an appropriate fire regime.
Following research into an appropriate fire regime, implement a fire management strategy that includes the population and its vicinity.
Control rabbits to promote regeneration.

Information sources

Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Brooker, M. and Kleinig, D.A. (1999) Field guide to eucalypts, Volume 1: South-eastern Australia. 2nd edn. Blooming Books, Hawthorn.
Brooker, M.I.H. (2000) A New Classification of the Genus Eucalyptus L’Hér. (Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 13(1): 79-148
Brooker, M.I.H., Slee, A.V. and Briggs, J.D. (1995) A Taxonomic Revision of Eucalyptus ser. Argyrophyllae. Australian Systematic Botany 8(4): 512.
Brooker, M.I.H., Slee, A.V., Connors, J.R. and Duffy, S.M. (2002) EUCLID: Eucalypts of Southern Australia. Second Edition. CSIRO Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (CSIRO Publishing).
Hill, K.D. (2002) Eucalyptus. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition. (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
Hill, K.D. and Johnson, L.A.S. (1991) Systematic studies in the eucalypts – 3. New taxa in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Telopea 4(2): 223-67.
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1998) Flora of Victoria; Volume 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)