Rank Species | Genus Eucalyptus Higher classification Gum trees | |
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Similar Gum trees, Eucalyptus leucoxylon, Eucalyptus sideroxylon, Eucalyptus botryoides, Eucalyptus polyanthemos | ||
Eucalyptus cladocalyx, commonly known as Sugar Gum, is a species of eucalypt tree found in the Australian state of South Australia. It is found naturally in three distinct populations - in the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and on Kangaroo Island. It has no known close relatives.
Description
The tree notable for its mottled colourful yellow to orange bark, strongly discolourous leaves and inflorescences grouped on leafless branchlets inside the tree crown. The old bark is smooth and grey, shedding in irregular patches to expose the fresh yellowy-brown bark. Flowers are creamy-white in summer. The capsules are barrel to urn shaped.
Sugar Gums from the Flinders Ranges reach up to 35 metres (115 ft) in height and have the classic "gum" habit - with a straight trunk and steep branches occurring about halfway up. Each main branch ends with its own little canopy. These are commonly cultivated as farm windbreaks and for timber. However, Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island trees are much shorter and often have crooked trunks.
