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20 November 2019

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
Brazil
eucalipto
South Africa
grysysterbasbloekom
EPPO code
EUCPA (Eucalyptus paniculata)
Trade name
grey ironbark

Pictures

North of Glenorie, New South Wales, Australia.
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

This content is currently unavailable.

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

This content is currently unavailable.

Distribution Table

This content is currently unavailable.

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

CategorySub categoryHabitatPresenceStatus
Terrestrial    
TerrestrialTerrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-naturalRiverbanksPresent, no further detailsHarmful (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)
-30-3701500

Air Temperature

ParameterLower limit (°C)Upper limit (°C)
Absolute minimum temperature0 
Mean annual temperature1323
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month2431
Mean minimum temperature of coldest month18

Rainfall

ParameterLower limitUpper limitDescription
Dry season duration23number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall
Mean annual rainfall5301700mm; 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

This content is currently unavailable.

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

CategoryImpact
Animal/plant collectionsNone
Animal/plant productsNone
Biodiversity (generally)Negative
Crop productionNone
Environment (generally)Negative
Fisheries / aquacultureNone
Forestry productionNone
Human healthNone
Livestock productionNone
Native faunaNone
Native floraNegative
Rare/protected speciesNone
TourismNone
Trade/international relationsNone
Transport/travelNone

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

NameURLComment
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gatewayhttps://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list.

References

Anon, 1997. Cattai National Park, Plan of Management. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, New South Wales, Australia. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/pom_final_cattai.pdf.
Attiwill PM, Adams MA, 1996. Nutrition of eucalypts. viii + 440 pp. Melbourne, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.
Boland DJ, Brooker MIH, Chippendale GM, Hall N, Hyland BPM, Johnston RD, Kleinig DA, Turner JD, 1984. Forest trees of Australia. 4th ed. Melbourne, Australia:Thomas Nelson and CSIRO. xvi + 687 pp.; 77 ref.
Boland DJ, Brooker MIH, Turnbull JW, Kleinig DA, 1980. Eucalyptus seed. Canberra, Australia: Division of Forest Research, CSIRO. xii + 191 pp.; 63 pl.; 212 ref.
Booth TH, Nix HA, Hutchinson MF, Jovanovic T, 1988. Niche analysis and tree species introduction. Forest Ecology and Management, 23(1):47-59; 29 ref.
Booth TH, Pryor LD, 1991. Climatic requirements of some commercially important eucalypt species. Forest Ecology and Management, 43(1-2):47-60; 31 ref.
Bootle KR, 1983. Wood in Australia: types, properties and uses. Sydney, Australia: McGraw-Hill Book Company, viii + 443pp.; many ref.
Brooker MIH, Kleinig DA, 1983. Field guide to eucalypts. Volume 1. South-eastern Australia. vii + 288 pp. Sydney, Australia: Inkata Press.
Brooker MIH, Kleinig DA, 1994. Field Guide to Eucalypts. Vol. 3. Northern Australia. Sydney, Australia: Inkata Press.
Brundrett M, Bougher N, Dell B, Grove T, Malajczuk N, 1996. Working with mycorrhizas in forestry and agriculture. Working with mycorrhizas in forestry and agriculture., ix + 374 pp.; [ACIAR Monograph No. 32]; Many ref.
Bryan BA, 1997. A generic method for identifying regional koala habitat using GIS. Australian Geographical Studies, 35:125-139.
Chippendale GM, 1988. Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Flora of Australia, 19. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Publishing Service.
Clemson A, 1985. Honey and pollen flora. Honey and pollen flora., iv + 263 pp.; [B].
Cremer KW, 1990. Trees for rural Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press.
Dean SJ, Holmes PM, Weiss PW, 1986. Seed biology of invasive alien plants in South Africa and South West Africa / Namibia. In: Macdonald IAW, Kruger FJ, Ferrar AA (eds.), The Ecology and Management of Biological Invasions in Southern Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Oxford University Press, 157-170.
Doran JC, 1990. Nursery practice. In: Cremer KW, ed. Trees for Rural Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press, 89-106.
Florence RG, 1996. Ecology and silviculture of eucalypt forests. Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing.
Griffin AR, Burgess IP, Wolf L, 1988. Patterns of natural and manipulated hybridisation in the genus Eucalyptus L'Herit. - a review. Australian Journal of Botany, 36(1):41-66.
Hamza KFS, 1999. Basic density and some anatomical properties of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnhr., E. citriodora Hook, and E. paniculata Sm. grown at Ruvu, Tanzania. Annals of Forestry, 7(2):221-226.
Henderson L, 2001. Alien Weeds and Invasive Plants. Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12. Cape Town, South Africa: Paarl Printers.
Hillis WE, Brown AG, 1984. Eucalypts for wood production. Melbourne, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Jacobs MR, 1981. Eucalypts for planting. Eucalypts for planting., Ed. 2:xxiv + 677 pp. + 36 pl.; [B].
Keating WG, Bolza E, 1982. Characteristics, properties and uses of timbers. Volume 1. South-east Asia, Northern Australia and the Pacific. xxi + 362 pp.; 24 pl. (col.); 146 ref. Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press.
Langkamp PJ, 1987. Germination of Australian native plant seed. Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press.
Mattei VL, Longhi SJ, 2001. Evaluation of Eucalyptus paniculata Smith natural regeneration. (Avaliação da regeneração natural de Eucalyptus paniculata Smith.) Ciência Florestal, 11(1):55-65.
Poynton RJ, 1979. Report to the Southern African Regional Commission for the Conservation and Utilization of the Soil (SARCCUS) on tree planting in southern Africa. Vol. 2. The eucalypts. Pretoria, South Africa: Department of Forestry. xvi + 882 pp.; ISBN 0-621-04763-5; 208 ref.
Pryor LD, 1976. Biology of eucalypts. Institute of Biology's Studies in Biology 61. London: Edward Arnold Ltd. 1976, v + 82 pp.; B.
Pryor LD, Johnson LAS, 1971. A classification of the eucalypts. Canberra, Australia: Australian National University, pp. 102.
USDA-NRCS, 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5. Baton Rouge, USA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov.
Webb DB, Wood PJ, Smith JP, Henman GS, 1984. A guide to species selection for tropical and sub-tropical plantations. Tropical Forestry Papers, No. 15. Oxford, UK: Commonwealth Forestry Institute, University of Oxford.
Weber E, 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: A reference guide to environmental weeds. Wallingford, UK: CAB International, 548 pp.

Information & Authors

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Published online: 20 November 2019

Language

English

Authors

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CABI
CABI Head Office, Wallingford, UK

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