Eucalyptus brandiana
Common Name: Square Fruited Mallet
Family: MYRTACEAE (c. 150 genera)
Origin of Scientific Name:
Eucalyptus - Greek eu = well + calyptos = covered, referring to the operculum or cap covering the stamens in the bud.
brandiana – named after Grady Brand, Senior Curator of Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
Description
Eucalyptus brandiana is a single-stemmed tree to 5 metres with a conspicuous crown and lacking a lignotuber (a starchy swelling of the root crown which allows for regeneration after extensive damage, including destruction by fire), hence the classification of ‘mallet’. This eucalypt has extraordinarily large, thick, glossy green leaves not unlike ficus leaves, and very large fruits and flowers up to 5 cm across. These start off as pendulous red buds, but the anthers themselves are pink.
The attractive bark is smooth, shiny and silver grey with bronze stripes.
Distribution
All known populations of this tree are located within Fitzgerald River National Park on the south coast of southwest Western Australia.Refer to the distribution map for this species via the Department of Environment and Conservation's FloraBase online herbarium.
Flowering Season
Autumn and winter months.
Cultivation/Propagation
Germinates readily from seed, in a cool environment.
View In Kings Park
Rio Tinto Naturescape in Kings Park, Wadjuk Way and outside the BGPA Administration Building.
To help locate these sites, you may wish to download a Visitor Guide from our brochures page.
Notes
The Square Fruited Mallet was discovered in September 2006 by ecologist Nathan McQuoid, and described with the assistance of Kew’s Professor Stephen Hopper (former BGPA Chief Executive Officer). In 2009, it was named after Grady Brand, Senior Curator of Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth.