General Description:

With about 800 species, Eucalyptus is the second largest genus in the Australian flora and range from medium shrubs to huge forest trees.  The three genera Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora are known collectively as 'eucalypts' and they dominate many Australian landscapes.  They are only absent (or at least reduced in diversity) in rainforests and truly arid environments.

Eucalyptus bigalerita is a small to medium tree, generally single trunked and reaching 8-12 metres in height. The smooth trunk varies from pale grey to coppery in colour. The distinctive light green leaves are large and very broad; up to 15cm long by 10cm wide, ovate or deltoid in shape. Flowering occurs in winter and spring, with small white flowers to 1.5cm across.

This plant would make an attractive specimen tree, to be grown for its bark and unusual foliage as much as its flowering. The specimen pictured was in cultivation (and had obviously been so) in a Mediterranean climate 200km from Perth. The tree may prove adaptable over a range of climates. However, in the humid summer conditions of the east coast of Australia, the closely related Eucalyptus alba may be an alternative to try.

Propagation is from seed which germinates readily.