Eucalyptus albida
Credits
Article from New Trees by John Grimshaw & Ross Bayton
Recommended citation
'Eucalyptus albida' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Genus
Common Names
- White-leaved Mallee
Other taxa in genus
- Eucalyptus acaciiformis
- Eucalyptus amygdalina
- Eucalyptus archeri
- Eucalyptus blakelyi
- Eucalyptus bridgesiana
- Eucalyptus brookeriana
- Eucalyptus camaldulensis
- Eucalyptus camphora
- Eucalyptus chapmaniana
- Eucalyptus cinerea
- Eucalyptus coccifera
- Eucalyptus cordata
- Eucalyptus crenulata
- Eucalyptus cypellocarpa
- Eucalyptus dalrympleana
- Eucalyptus delegatensis
- Eucalyptus elliptica
- Eucalyptus fastigata
- Eucalyptus fraxinoides
- Eucalyptus globulus
- Eucalyptus gregsoniana
- Eucalyptus gunnii
- Eucalyptus johnstonii
- Eucalyptus kybeanensis
- Eucalyptus lacrimans
- Eucalyptus laophila
- Eucalyptus leucoxylon
- Eucalyptus macarthurii
- Eucalyptus macrorhyncha
- Eucalyptus mannifera
- Eucalyptus melliodora
- Eucalyptus mitchelliana
- Eucalyptus moorei
- Eucalyptus morrisbyi
- Eucalyptus neglecta
- Eucalyptus nicholii
- Eucalyptus nitens
- Eucalyptus nova-anglica
- Eucalyptus obliqua
- Eucalyptus oreades
- Eucalyptus ovata
- Eucalyptus parvula
- Eucalyptus pauciflora
- Eucalyptus praecox
- Eucalyptus radiata
- Eucalyptus regnans
- Eucalyptus remota
- Eucalyptus risdonii
- Eucalyptus rodwayi
- Eucalyptus rubida
- Eucalyptus saligna
- Eucalyptus sideroxylon
- Eucalyptus stellulata
- Eucalyptus subcrenulata
- Eucalyptus tenuiramis
- Eucalyptus urnigera
- Eucalyptus viminalis
Mallee to 3 m. Bark white or greyish brown, often powdery, smooth throughout. Juvenile leaves white, waxy, sessile and amplexicaul, decussate, orbicular to cordate; the change from juvenile to adult foliage is abrupt. Adult leaves glossy, dark green, 4–7 × 0.5–1.5 cm, narrowly lanceolate, lateral veins obscure, margins entire, apex acute; petiole terete, 0.7–1.7 cm long. Inflorescences axillary and solitary; umbellasters with seven or nine flowers. Flower buds fusiform; hypanthium hemispherical or obconical, 0.3–0.4 cm wide; stamens white or cream. Capsule hemispherical or obconical, 0.4–0.8 cm diameter; valves three (to four), ± level. Chippendale 1988, Hill 2004. Distribution AUSTRALIA: Western Australia (Tammin to Ravensthorpe). Habitat Heaths on white sand. USDA Hardiness Zone 9(–10). Conservation status Not evaluated.
As a juvenile plant Eucalyptus albida is perhaps the most silvery of all the eucalypts, well deserving its specific epithet. The leaves are very densely placed on the twigs, resulting in a remarkable silvery white bush, which can be maintained by coppicing. It also makes a good container plant. In adulthood the leaves are longer and glossy dark green. Never a large tree, E. albida is probably best regarded in our area as a striking ornamental foliage shrub, although adult specimens are known outside in the United Kingdom. It is very sensitive to excess moisture, and extremely sharp drainage is re com mended. A sheltered site is also desirable, as the new growth is prone to damage from both wind and frost (Gum Group 2007).