Kingdom Plantae Family Myrtaceae Scientific name Eucalyptus porosa | Order Myrtales Genus Eucalyptus Rank Species | |
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Similar Eucalyptus odorata, Eucalyptus socialis, Eucalyptus incrassata, Eucalyptus microcarpa, Eucalyptus dumosa | ||
Eucalyptus porosa is a species of eucalypt or gum tree, native to southern Australia. Common names include Water Mallee, Black Mallee, Black Mallee-box, Quorn Mallee, Peppermint Box, Whipstick Peppermint and South Australian Mallee Box.
Depending on location, Eucalyptus porosa can develop into a multi-trunked mallee, or it may develop into a thick, straight, single-trunked tree over 10 metres tall.
Eucalyptus porosa is an evergreen tree, with leaves typical of most eucalypts. A distinctive characteristic is the broad space between the leaf edge and the marginal vein. New leaves are bright and glossy, with a distinctive lettuce green colour.
White to pale yellow eucalypt flowers appear in late spring and early summer. These make it an important food plant for possums and local birds. These flowers are transformed into small woody urn shaped gumnuts, around 5mm across, clustered together. Plants grow easily from seed and develop quickly under the right conditions. Prefers alkaline, heavy clay loam soils.
