Southern blue gum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Eucalyptus |
Species: | E. bicostata |
Binomial name | |
Eucalyptus bicostata Maiden , Blakely & Simmons |
Eucalyptus bicostata, commonly known as Victorian blue gum or eurabbie, is a eucalypt species native to Victoria and eastern New South Wales, Australia. It grows in wet forests on fertile soils in sheltered areas in ranges away from the coast. Many botanists consider Eucalyptus bicostata a subspecies of Eucalyptus globulus. This is supported by Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, but not by Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney where it is considered a distinct species.
It is a tree growing to 40 m tall. The bark is mostly smooth, shedding in long strips to leave a white or greyish surface; sometimes with rough, partially shed bark at the base. The juvenile leaves are to 15 cm long and 8 cm broad, and the adult leaves to 45 cm long and 4 cm broad. The inflorescence is 3-flowered.