Goldfields blackbutt is a tree or mallee-form eucalypt native to the arid goldfields of central Western Australia, growing 5 to 18 m with rough black lower bark and smooth upper bark. It is grown as a drought-tolerant, sun-loving tree in dry climates.
Family
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
Grows as
Tree
Light
Full sun
Water
Water deeply but infrequently once established; avoid soggy soil.
Soil
Well-drained sandy loam or gritty mix; tolerates clay and gravel.
Temperature
Hot, dry conditions suited; tolerates frost and heat typical of the arid interior, but protect young plants from hard frost.
How easy
Moderate
Native range
SC. Western Australia
Climate
desert or dry shrubland
About
Eucalyptus lesouefii, commonly known as goldfields blackbutt, is a species of mallet or tree that is endemic to central Western Australia. It has rough, black bark on the lower trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, creamy white flowers and cup-shaped fruit.
Where it grows
The goldfields blackbutt is found on flats and slopes, in alluvial areas and elsewhere, in the Coolgardie, Great Victoria Desert and Murchison biogeographic regions centred around Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Eucalyptus lesouefii is generally found on sandy loam, and occasionally with clays or gravel soils.
Uses
The timber, useful as firewood, is light brown and has a high density. Trees are vulnerable to white ant infestation, which occupy individuals of all ages in its native habitat and reduce its utility. A record of it commonly occurring at Widgiemooltha was noted in the 1920s.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Eucalyptus lesouefii by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.