Eucalyptus paniculata (grey ironbark)
Datasheet Types: Invasive species, Tree, Host plant
Abstract
This datasheet on Eucalyptus paniculata covers Identity, Overview, Associated Diseases, Pests or Pathogens, Distribution, Dispersal, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Management, Further Information.
Identity
- Preferred Scientific Name
- Eucalyptus paniculata Sm.
- Preferred Common Name
- grey ironbark
- Local Common Names
- Brazileucalipto
- South Africagrysysterbasbloekom
- EPPO code
- EUCPA (Eucalyptus paniculata)
- Trade name
- grey ironbark
Pictures

Stand
North of Glenorie, New South Wales, Australia.
©CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products
Overview
Importance
E. paniculata is a species of subtropical warm humid to sub-humid climates. It has proven itself as a good to very good plantation species, combining quick growth and good coppicing ability with adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions and some tolerance of drought and light frost. It is a good pole species and also an excellent fuelwood and charcoal timber. It is a good shade and shelterbelt species and also produces good honey.
In Australian dry schlerophyll woodland, E. paniculata may be associated with Eucalyptus punctata, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Syncarpia glomulifera and it is one of the food plants of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).
In South Africa there species has been declared a category 2 invader under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (1983).
Summary of Invasiveness
E. paniculata grows rapidly and is able to tolerate a range of soil conditions, as well as drought and light frost. However it has become invasive in South Africa and is declared a category 2 invader under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (1983) in South Africa. However, comparatively little information on the invasiveness of this species is available.
Taxonomic Tree
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
There appears to be no taxonomic confusion surrounding E. paniculata, unlike in some Eucalyptus species.
Plant Type
Perennial
Broadleaved
Seed propagated
Tree
Woody
Description
E. paniculata is a medium-sized to tall tree, 15-30 m high and with a diameter at breast height of up to 1 m, but on favourable sites, heights of up to 50 m and diameters of 1.5 m have been recorded. Trunks are typically long and straight with a furrowed, hard or corky, light grey ironbark persistent to the small branches. Henderson (2001) describes E. paniculata as a tall evergreen tree, with leaves dark green and discolorous at all stages of growth, 95-100 mm long when mature and pendulous, whereas young leaves are shorter and broader; cream flowers with long exserted stamens, buds with conical lids and up to 11 mm long. The fruits are hemispherical capsules, 6-10 mm long, tapering to a short stalk and with enclosed or slightly protruding valves (frequently five).
Botanical Features
E. paniculata is a medium-sized to tall tree, 15-30 m high and with a diameter at breast height of up to 1 m, but on favourable sites, heights of up to 50 m and diameters of 1.5 m have been recorded. Trunks are typically long and straight with a furrowed, hard or corky, light grey ironbark persistent to the small branches. Henderson (2001) describes E. paniculata as a tall evergreen tree, with leaves dark green and discolorous at all stages of growth, 95-100 mm long when mature and pendulous, whereas young leaves are shorter and broader; cream flowers with long exserted stamens, buds with conical lids and up to 11 mm long. The fruits are hemispherical capsules, 6-10 mm long, tapering to a short stalk and with enclosed or slightly protruding valves (frequently five).
Distribution
E. paniculata originates in eastern Australia (Henderson, 2001).
Distribution Map
Distribution Table
History of Introduction and Spread
E. paniculata is now planted in a number of countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Risk of Introduction
There is comparatively little information available on the biology of this species and its behaviour as an invasive. Since it has become invasive in South Africa, future introductions should consider the possibility that it may become invasive in other exotic locations.
Means of Movement and Dispersal
No specific information was available for this species but it is known that wind disperses the seed of several other invasive Eucalyptus species, e.g. E. cladocalyx, E. grandis and E. lehmanii (Dean et al., 1986).
Habitat
In its native Australia, E. paniculata occurs as a component of dry sclerophyllous woodland, e.g. in New South Wales (Anon., 1997). In one of its exotic locations, South Africa, it is an invader of watercourses (Henderson, 2001).
Habitat List
Category | Sub category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | ||||
Terrestrial | Terrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Biology and Ecology
E. paniculata is a species of subtropical warm humid to sub-humid climates. It has proven itself as a good to very good plantation species, combining quick growth and good coppicing ability with adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions and some tolerance of drought and light frost. In South Africa this species flowers from May to January (Henderson, 2001), and reproduces from seed.In Australian dry schlerophyll woodland it may be associated with E. punctata, E. tereticornis and Syncarpia glomulifera (Anon., 1997) and it is one of the food plants of the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus (Bryan, 1997).
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude lower (m) | Altitude upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
-30 | -37 | 0 | 1500 |
Air Temperature
Parameter | Lower limit (°C) | Upper limit (°C) |
---|---|---|
Absolute minimum temperature | 0 | |
Mean annual temperature | 13 | 23 |
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month | 24 | 31 |
Mean minimum temperature of coldest month | 1 | 8 |
Rainfall
Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Dry season duration | 2 | 3 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
Mean annual rainfall | 530 | 1700 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Rainfall Regime
Summer
Uniform
Soil Tolerances
Soil texture > light
Soil texture > medium
Soil reaction > acid
Soil reaction > neutral
Soil drainage > free
Special soil tolerances > shallow
Notes on Pests
The pathogen Armillaria mellea (Armillaria root rot) and a Cerambycid herbivore Phoracantha semipunctata (blue gum borer, or Eucalyptus longhorn borer) are known to attack E. paniculata.
List of Pests
Notes on Natural Enemies
The pathogen Armillaria mellea (Armillaria root rot) and a Cerambycid herbivore Phoracantha semipunctata (blue gum borer, or Eucalyptus longhorn borer) are known to attack E. paniculata.
Impact Summary
Category | Impact |
---|---|
Animal/plant collections | None |
Animal/plant products | None |
Biodiversity (generally) | Negative |
Crop production | None |
Environment (generally) | Negative |
Fisheries / aquaculture | None |
Forestry production | None |
Human health | None |
Livestock production | None |
Native fauna | None |
Native flora | Negative |
Rare/protected species | None |
Tourism | None |
Trade/international relations | None |
Transport/travel | None |
Impact: Environmental
Henderson (2001) describes E. paniculata as a 'potential habitat transformer', but in general, there is little specific information available.
Risk and Impact Factors
Invasiveness
Proved invasive outside its native range
Highly adaptable to different environments
Highly mobile locally
Has high reproductive potential
Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
Impact outcomes
Reduced native biodiversity
Likelihood of entry/control
Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
E. paniculata is a good shade and shelterbelt species and also produces good honey. It is a good pole species and also an excellent fuelwood and charcoal timber. The dark- to red-brown wood is very hard, strong and durable, being used principally for heavy engineering construction. Due to its high density (over 1000 kg/m³), the wood is difficult to work. Wood products include transmission poles, posts, piles, building poles, building timbers and boats.
Uses: Wood Uses
It is a good pole species and also an excellent fuelwood and charcoal timber. The dark- to red-brown wood is very hard, strong and durable, being used principally for heavy engineering construction. Due to its high density (over 1000 kg/m³), the wood is difficult to work. Wood products include transmission poles, posts, piles, building poles, building timbers and boats.
Uses: Land Uses
E. paniculata is a good shade and shelterbelt species and also produces good honey.
Uses List
General > Ornamental
Environmental > Shade and shelter
Materials > Miscellaneous materials
Materials > Wood/timber
Fuels > Charcoal
Fuels > Fuelwood
Human food and beverage > Honey/honey flora
Wood Products
Boats
Charcoal
Roundwood > Building poles
Roundwood > Piles
Roundwood > Posts
Roundwood > Transmission poles
Sawn or hewn building timbers > Bridges
Sawn or hewn building timbers > Engineering structures
Sawn or hewn building timbers > For heavy construction
Prevention and Control
Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
No precise information is available on the control of E. paniculata; however, for some other invasive Eucalyptus species (e.g. E. cladocalyx and E. globulus), the practice of digging out seedlings and young trees has been applied (Weber, 2003). Similarly mature trees of these species have been felled and the stumps treated with herbicide, or herbicides can be used to spray any seedlings/shoots that appear after the above treatment, whereas drilling stems and filling with herbicide is a further approach (Weber, 2003). Henderson (2001) identifies that one or more herbicides are registered for the control of this species in South Africa.
Silviculture Characteristics
E. paniculata grows rapidly and is able to tolerate a range of soil conditions, as well as drought and light frost.
Silviculture Characteristics
Tolerates > drought
Tolerates > frost
Ability to > coppice
Silviculture Practice
In South Africa this species flowers from May to January (Henderson, 2001), and reproduces from seed.
Silviculture Practice
Seed storage > orthodox
Stand establishment using > planting stock
Links to Websites
Name | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
References
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Published online: 20 November 2019
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