Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. 1832

Common name(s): River Red Gum

Family: Myrtaceae
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Bark_lower
Bark (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington on 6th November, 2024 at Mt Barker, South Australia
Bark_upper
Bark (Upper)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Ken Harrington
Flower_bud
Flower Bud
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fruit
Fruit
Taken by Ken Harrington on 7th June, 2019 at Burra, South Australia
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NF, NP, NS, NT, SF, SP, CS, CT, CC, SS, ST, LH, CAN
  • NT: DG, VR, BT, CN, CS
  • QLD: BU, KN, GN, MI, KS, LE, GS, WA, MA, BN, DD
  • SA: NW, LE, FR, EA, EP, NL, SL, MU, YP, KI, SE
  • TAS: BL, EC
  • VIC: MM, LM, WI, WA, GR, RI, MI, VP, EH, GP
  • WA: GA, FI, DM, HA, FO, CV, AS, KE, GI, AU, IR, DA
Plant Type
Evergreen Tree
Evergreen Tree
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Arid, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Arid,
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full
Sun - Full
Habitat Range(s)
Arid, Desert Vegetation, Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Heath, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Mallee Vegetation, Open Woodlands, Rainforest - Temperate, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry
Arid,
Desert Vegetation,
Grasslands,
Forest - Grassy,
Heath,
Lakes / Dams / Swamps,
Mallee Vegetation,
Open Woodlands,
Rainforest - Temperate,
Rivers / Creeks / Streams,
Sclerophyll Forest - Dry
Habitat Zone(s)
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Plains, Scattered, Wet Pockets
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Heavy soils,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Plains,
Scattered,
Wet Pockets
Mature Width
25-30m
25-30m
Plant Shape
Domed - Broad
Domed - Broad
Domed - Broad Domed - Broad
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Very Slow
Maturity
45-50 yrs
45-50 yrs
Life Span
100-150yrs, 150-200yrs
100-150yrs,
150-200yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Dull, Green, Grey-green
Dull,
Green,
Grey-green
Colour (back)
Dull, Green, Grey-green
Dull,
Green,
Grey-green
Shape(s)
Falcate
Falcate
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Falcate Falcate,
Lanceolate Lanceolate
Aroma
Spicy-Slight
Spicy-Slight
Texture (front)
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Texture (back)
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Leaf Length(s)
250-275mm
250-275mm
Leaf Width(s)
25-30mm
25-30mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Grey , Grey-brown , White
Grey,
Grey-brown,
White
Texture(s) Upper
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood - Hard
Wood - Hard
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Trunk / Stem / Culm Diameter
3.5-4m
3.5-4m
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring Mid - Summer
Flower Colour(s)
Cream, White
Cream,
White
Flower Shape(s)
Filamental Cyathiform
Filamental Cyathiform
Filamental Cyathiform Filamental Cyathiform
Aroma(s)
Sweet-slight
Sweet-slight
Flowers per Arrangement
7-8, 8-9, 9-10
7-8,
8-9,
9-10
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Insects, Birds
Bees,
Insects,
Birds
Fruit Properties
Type
Capsule - Pyxidium
Capsule - Pyxidium
Capsule - Pyxidium Capsule - Pyxidium
Outer Colour(s)
Grey-brown
Grey-brown
Outer Texture
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Smooth
Smooth
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous,
Smooth Smooth
Aroma
None
None
Season of Fruiting
Summer Late
Summer Late
Fruit Ripening
2 mths., 3 mths.
2 mths.,
3 mths.
Maturation for Fruiting
3 yrs., 4 yrs.
3 yrs.,
4 yrs.
Root Properties
Type
Plate
Plate
Plate Plate
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony
Clay,
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand,
Stony
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Water logged
Water logged
Wet
Wet
Moist
Moist
Water logged Water logged,
Wet Wet,
Moist Moist
Fertile , Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Fertile,
Poor,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Very Good
Very Good
Bird Attraction
Nectar, Insect, Nesting, Habitat
Nectar,
Insect,
Nesting,
Habitat
Butterfly Attraction
Poor
Poor
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
None
None
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Good
Good
Snow Tolerance
Light
Light
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Maintenance(s)
Pruning - Periodical
Pruning - Periodical
Pests/Diseases
Borers, Cicadas, Eucalypt Sawfly, Gum Tree Moth, Lerps, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Scale
Borers,
Cicadas,
Eucalypt Sawfly,
Gum Tree Moth,
Lerps,
Phytophthora cinnamomi,
Scale
Special Purpose(s)
Cabinet making, Carpentry, Drain Clogger, Firewood, Koala Food Trees, Phytophthora Susceptible, Specimen, Temporary Inundation, Windbreak
Cabinet making,
Carpentry,
Drain Clogger,
Firewood,
Koala Food Trees,
Phytophthora Susceptible,
Specimen,
Temporary Inundation,
Windbreak

General Notes

Eucalyptus subgenus Symphomyrtus

An iconic, majestic tree of Australia, the most widely spread Eucalpyt usually found along water courses throughout Australia, providing habitat for numerous species of wildlife, a favoured tree for bees and honey and a good timber source. Under stress it is prone to dropping limbs, without warning, so camping under them can be dangerous.

Timber is resistant to termites and used for heavy construction, railway sleepers, flooring, framings, fencing, turnery, panelling and sills as well as firewood.

Even mature trees are susceptible to intense fires as it does not form a ligno-tuber to regenerate from.

Flower buds are in groupings of seven to nine or sometimes as many as eleven. 

Euc. camaldulensis has 7 sub species

E. camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis, E. camaldulensis ssp. acuta, E. camaldulensis ssp. arida, E. camaldulensis ssp. minima, E. camaldulensis ssp. obtusa, E. camadulensis ssp. refulgens, E. camadulensis ssp. simulata

Aborigines used the bark of the tree to make canoes, timber for weapons, shields and utensils.