Eucalyptus obliqua

Messmate

Tall upright tree with a dense canopy. Fibrous stringy bark to smaller branches.

Additional information

• FamilyMyrtaceae
• StoreyUpper storey
• Size20-90 m x 10-35 m
• Plant groupingTrees 5 m +
• LeavesBroad, egg-shaped, glossy green asymmetric juvenile leaves, pendant, 10-13 cm x 3-4 cm. Intermediate leaves very large to 20 cm. Adult - broad lance-shaped to 13 cm x 3.5 cm. Leaf curved, much wider above the midvein.
• Flower colourWhite to cream
• Flowering timeDecember to March
• FlowersClusters of 7-15 club-shaped buds on stalks, no scar. Flowers profuse. Fruit wine-glass shaped with sunken valves.
• Bird attractingGeneral - food and habitat
• Butterfly attractingBoth food for caterpillars and nectar for butterflies.
• Frog habitatNo
• Growing conditionsMoist well drained soils of foothills and mountains. Frost and snow tolerant. Full sun semi shade.
• Garden useTrees medium sized on the lower foothills, taller in the moister mountains. Larger trees are too big for small gardens. Provide good shade. Honey production. Koala food plant.
• Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
• Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
• Aboriginal Use Bark - tinder for fire starters, string for bags & nets

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