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 preissiana is a small tree, usually of “mallee” habit (multi-trunks arising from a lignotuber). It reaches about 2-3 metres in height by a similar width but is often smaller. The bark is smooth and the leaves are broadly oval shape, tapering to a point – they are about 120 mm long by 50 mm wide. The large, yellow flowers may be 30 mm or more in diameter. Flowering occurs in winter and spring and is followed by attractive, bell shaped gumnuts. Two subsepecies are recognised: subsp.preissiana and subsp.lobulata.

Bell-fruited mallee is successfully grown in many parts of temperate Australia but is difficult to maintain in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The flowers and fruit are attractive and the plant is of a size well suited to smaller gardens. It performs best in well drained soils in full sun. Because of its lignotuberous habit, the species should respond to hard pruning to near ground level if rejuvenation is required.

Propagation is from seed which germinates readily.