Eucalyptus angophoroides

Apple-topped box
the base of an apple-topped box
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Eucalyptus
Species:	E. angophoroides
Binomial name
Eucalyptus angophoroides R.T.Baker

Eucalyptus angophoroides, commonly known as the apple-topped box, is a common eucalyptus tree of the coastal areas of southern New South Wales and Victoria, Australia.

It is found on moist fertile soils from near Goulburn on the tablelands and Batemans Bay on the coast, southwards to the Strzelecki Ranges in the Gippsland region in the far southeast.

Description

The apple-topped box grows to 40 metres (130 ft) high. Its trunk has rough flaky grey-brown to grey fibrous bark. The adult foliage is alternately arranged along the stems (one leaf at each stem node), while the juvenile foliage is oppositely arranged (a pair of opposed leaves at each stem node). The adult leaves are narrow-lanceolate or lanceolate, around 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) long and 1.5–2.5 centimetres (0.59–0.98 in) wide. They are dull green in color or almost shiny on the upper side, with a paler underside. The juvenile leaves are round, with a cordate (base of heart-shaped) base.

The fruits (gumnuts) are hemispherical or conical in shape, 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long and 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) in diameter. The disc is flat or slightly raised. The valves are exserted (sharp wooden points emerging out of the top of the gumnut).

Gallery

• 
  close up of the bark
• 
  leaf and flower buds

References

• "Eucalyptus angophoroides". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
• A Field Guide to Eucalypts - Brooker & Kleinig volume 1, ISBN 0-909605-62-9 page 194