Common name: Mottlecah

Family: MYRTACEAE

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Origin of Scientific Name

Eu: meaning well + Calyptos: meaning covered

Macro: meaning large + Carpus: meaning fruit

Description

Eucalyptus macrocarpa, or Mottlecah, is a sprawling mallee endemic to Western Australia and can grow up to 5 metres tall. With smooth, shiny bark that sheds in short ribbons and large ovate grey leaves, Mottlecah is an interesting and beautiful addition to any garden with space for it to spread laterally. It is well known to attract fauna such as nectar-loving honeyeaters.

Flowering from Spring to early Summer, the vibrant red, bristly blooms can be prolific and as large as 100 mm in diameter, boasting the largest sized flowers of all the eucalypts. The flowers are popular with photographers, particularly when the bud cap is retained on partially opened blooms, and the large gum nuts are also a point of interest with their silver, powdery coating. 

Horticultural tips

• Plant Mottlecah in well-drained soil.
• Mottlecah is best suited to a Mediterranean type climate with warm and dry summers, and once established it is drought and frost tolerant and can stand exposure to a full sun placement.
• Profuse flowers may weigh the branches down so it is recommended to prune these branches carefully to avoid breakage.

For more horticultural tips view our Plant Notes section.

View in Kings Park

Visit Kings Park to see the Mottlecah growing in the Western Australian Botanic Garden at the Roe Garden precinct (refer to map).

Want more information?

Refer to the profile for this plant on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' FloraBase online herbarium.