Eucalyptus rhodantha
| Eucalyptus rhodantha | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Rose mallee endemic to Western Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. rhodantha |
| Binomial name | |
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Eucalyptus rhodantha Blakely & H.Steedman |
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Eucalyptus rhodantha, commonly known as the rose mallee, is an endangered plant endemic to Western Australia producing rose red flowers in the summer months. It is perhaps best known by its silvery-blue leaves. Unlike most of the Eucalyptus species, the rose mallee retains its juvenile foliage throughout the life of the tree.
Individuals of this species were described by William Blakely, E. N. McKie and Henry Steedman in 1938, from material gathered near Gunyidi by Steedman in 1934. The species name is from the Ancient Greek words rhodos "pink" and anthos "flower". Common names include rose gum and rose mallee.
E. rhodantha is a low spreading mallee that grows up to 4 m (17 ft) high with smooth grey-brown trunks and light grey branches. The silver-grey leaves are oppositely arranged on the stems, sessile and clasping the stems. Spherical to heart-shaped, the leaves are 8 cm long by 8 cm wide, with a pointed apex. Covered with a waxy coating, the buds are 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long by 4 cm (1.6 in) wide, with a beaked, pointed budcap. They bend downwards, usually solitary with a long thick stem. The large flowers can be 7.5 cm (3 in) across, bright red to pink, or occasionally yellow. Shaped like a spinning top, the woody fruits measure 3 cm (1.2 in) long by 5.5 cm (2.2 in) wide, and have winged dark brown seeds. Plants in the vicinity of Three Springs have darker greener leaves.E. rhodantha is related to Eucalyptus macrocarpa, but is a more compact plant with shorter leaves, and smaller hanging buds and fruits.
Flowering takes place between March and November, peaking in winter from June to August. Unlike other Eucalyptus species, it produces few flowers per plant. Individual plants differ in the number of flowers, time, and duration of flowering. The long-lived flowers have a lifespan of 20–30 days, and produce large amounts of nectar during the day. The species is protandrous, the anthers spilling pollen within six or seven days of anthesis. The stigma is not receptive until about twelve days. The flowers are pollinated by a host of birds and small mammals including the white-fronted honeyeater (Phildonyris albifrons) and the honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus),
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