Eucalyptus pilularis

Eucalyptus pilularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Eucalyptus
Species:	E. pilularis
Binomial name
Eucalyptus pilularis Sm.

Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as blackbutt, is a common and dominant tree of the family Myrtaceae native to southeastern Australia. A large tree, it is identified by the stocking of rough bark, to about halfway up the trunk, above this is white smooth bark. The leaves are a uniform glossy to dark green and the white flowers occur from September to March. Blackbutt is the predominant tree species seen on the drive on the Pacific Highway between Taree and Coffs Harbour. Blackbutt is a koala food tree. Economically, it is one of Australia's most important hardwoods.

First described by James Edward Smith, the species name of pilularis refers to the Latin (small pill or rounded knob), referring to the shape of the gumnuts.

The common name blackbutt refers to the black base of the tree after fires. The type specimen was collected from Sydney in the year 1794. First published in 1797 in Transactions of the Linnean Society by James Edward Smith.

Within the genus Eucalyptus, it lies in the subgenus Eucalyptus and the section Pseudophloius, a group united by rough but not stringy bark, large opposite juvenile and glossy green adult leaves. Their leaves have adensely reticulated pattern, and the seed is red-brown, and smooth and pyramidal in shape.

A taxon once described as E. pilularis var. pyriformis has been reclassified as the species E. pyrocarpa.

Blackbutt can grow to 50 metres in height, and a trunk diameter of 4.1 metres. Though is mostly seen between 20 and 45 metres tall. Like many large eucalyptus species, the maximum height in the past is difficult to determine. Maximum heights of the blackbutt may have reached greater sizes than the largest trees still standing today. Blackbutt is a potential giant, of immense size.

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