Eucalyptus largiflorens(Black Box)

Eucalyptus largiflorens (Black Box)

Eucalyptus largiflorens (Black Box)

This is an attractive small to medium tree, 10-20 metres high by 8-15 metres wide, with large clusters of cream flowers loved by bees and Honeyeaters. Black Box are known as good honey producing trees. These trees are seen on the banks or rivers and lakes in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, usually in low lying areas where water once lay. This stimulates the seed germination and is why stands of these trees are often seen in the middle of nowhere. If lakes or rivers have flooded, these seed capsules are left washed at the highest point at that time which may never be reached again. The soils in these areas are clays to heavy loams, which of course makes them ideal for such soils in home gardens, where the soils are poorly drained or alkaline. These trees are also resistant to heavy frost. Flowering is between August and January.

I can’t believe that the proposed name change for this tree is ‘Symphymomyrtus’ ie. the plant is possibly called Symphymomyrtus largiflorens! I haven’t kept up with all the Eucalyptus name changes, except for Corymbia ficifolia (Eucalyptus ficifolia, Western Australian Flowering Gum).

This photo was taken on the banks of the Murrumbidgee at Hay, in NSW.

Eucalyptus largiflorens

Eucalyptus largiflorens

 

5 Responses to “Eucalyptus largiflorens(Black Box)”

  1. Pippa Fox says:

    Hi, am having a lot of trouble tracking down Eucalyptus cambagei. Beleive it’s an inland species from Qld that is frost tolerant and fast growing. Has a very white bark similar to a ghost gum. When I lived in Alice Springs about 15 years ago, a friend planted a couple of them with great success; within three years had a good shade tree. Very attractive habit. Wondering if there has been a name change, other websites havent’been any help. Any suggestions would be much appreciated…thanks, Pippa

    • Corinne says:

      I think you might mean Eucalyptus cambageana (Coowarra Box). My source says that it is tolerant of light frosts. There is a possibility that it may be known as Symphyomyrtus cambageana. If you cannot obtain the plants under either name, consider growing from seed. Seed is probably available from Nindethana seeds. They have an online catalogue.

  2. ian freebairn says:

    we have what i believe to be black box trees growing along the lachlan river
    just south of cowra nsw. there are about ten of them & they are quite large
    about one metre in diameter. they are flowering at present 19/05/2016
    i have had trouble getting someone to identify them so any hints would be
    appreciated

  3. L. D. says:

    hello
    I live in South Carolina, USA I have been trying to grow a type of Eucalyptus tree known to me as a Rainbow eucalyptus and they grow very well but When I move them to a outdoor location (replanting them in the yard) they grow very well but when they get cold in the winter temperature they just keep dying even when I cover them and provide a lamp to provide heat to word off any frost. what should I do to keep my little trees from dying

    • Stephen says:

      Hello L.D.,
      Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) are a beautiful tree, but are native to the tropical rainforests of Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. I think South Carolina is just too cold them. Keeping the root zone warm enough and maintaining humidity around the tree would be very demanding, especially as the tree becomes larger. Can you keep it in a large pot and move it into a glasshouse in winter?

Leave a Reply to Corinne Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *