Eucalyptus parvula
Other common names
Kybean gum.
Origin of the species name
Eucalyptus from Latin meaning well-covered and describes the cap on the flower bud; parvula from Latin meaning little and refers to the leaves.
Family
Myrtaceae
Date planted
October 2010
Lifespan
Unknown.
General description
This is a small, compact, evergreen tree with short crooked trunks and a rounded crown with branches close to the ground. It sheds its bark in thin strips, leaving a smooth dark-grey surface. The small opposite juvenile leaves persist on the plant. The fruit are very small. Height 12m Spread 10m.
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is native to the high country of south-eastern New South Wales, Australia where it often grows as small almost pure stands, usually on flats or the gentle slopes of valleys in hilly to mountainous tableland country.
Conservation status
It is a threatened species. The main identified threats include grazing by domestic stock on private land, along with some damage caused by illegal seed collection. The main potential threats include disturbance to plants on roadsides by road maintenance and inappropriate fire regimes. Almost a quarter of the trees in natural stands occur in conservation reserves.
Planting pattern
Planted following the contours.
Uses
The wood is pink, soft and brittle and has probably only been used for firewood.
Further reading
Boland DJ, MIH Brooker, GM Chippendale, N Hall, BPM Hyland, RD Johnston, DA Kleinig, MW McDonald and JD Turner (2006) Forest Trees of Australia (5th Edition) CSIRO Publishing.