"Local eucalypt celebrates World Environment Day"
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| Scientific Name: | Eucalyptus cunninghamii Sweet. |
| Author: | Robert Sweet (1783-1835) |
| Common Name: | Cliff Mallee Ash |
| Plant Family: | MYRTACEAE |
Helping us to celebrate World Environment Day, 5 June 2003, is the Autumn flowering eucalypt, Eucalyptus cunninghamii, the Cliff Mallee Ash. Meet this handsome shrub opposite the foot of the stairs from the restaurant end of the Visitor Centre viewing deck.
Known first as Eucalyptus microphylla [referring to the small leaves] and also as Eucalyptus rupicola [referring to its preferred rocky habitat] the current name honours Allan Cunningham. His Majesty’s Botanical Collector in Australia from 1816 to 1831, and from 1837 until his death in1839, Colonial Botanist of New South Wales, Cunningham collected material of this species in the Blue Mountains in1822.
The Cliff Mallee Ash is listed as a Rare or Threatened Australian Plant with a status of 2RCa and occurs naturally only in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, mostly on cliff-tops around the Grose Valley. However, the National Botanic Gardens web-site, refers to its ease of cultivation in a variety of soils and to its worth as an ornamental shrub.
Water – Two Billion People are Dying for It! is this year’s theme for World Environment Day. As most eucalypts have evolved to minimise water requirements and maximise water use, perhaps we can follow this example and become “Water Friendly”.
Jan Allen
Garden Information Officer