Messmate
Eucalyptus obliqua
- Native to:
- Australia, Lesser Sunda Is.
Arthur Chapman (www.flickr.com) from Australia,Yoav Daniel Bar-Ness (www.inaturalist.org),Geoffrey Cox (www.inaturalist.org),Carlinhos27,Russell Best,Russell Best,Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org),The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London,Carlinhos27,Tannin (en.wikipedia.org) at English Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org),Mueller, Ferdinand von, 1825-1896,Internet Archive Book Images (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Myrtaceae
- Genus:
- Eucalyptus
- Species:
- Eucalyptus obliqua
- USDA Symbol:
- EUOB5
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 9000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from epicormic buds and lignotuber after fire. Thick fibrous bark provides fire protection to cambium.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers soils with good organic content
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; sow on surface and do not cover. Germinates readily at 18-22°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI