| Tasmania
has 31 native species of Eucalyptus and one
introduced species (E.
nitens). Trees of this genus dominate much of
Tasmania's vegetation. Although there are large differences
between species, it is sometimes difficult to identify some
plants because of hybridisation between related species.
There are two major groups of eucalypts in Tasmania. The
symphiomyrts (the gums) have 1, 3 or 7 flowers per
inflorescence, and have an inner and an outer operculum
(see the photo of E. johnstonii). The leaves
usually smell strongly of eucalyptus oil when crushed, and
the veins usually spread widely from the midrib. The
monocalypts (the ashes and peppermints) have many flowers
per inflorescence (although some may be lost in
development) and only one operculum per flower. The leaves
have a "peppermint" smell and veins that usually spread at
low angles from the midrib (usually <40 degrees).
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University of Tasmania
