Giant Mallee, Great Mallee, Red Mallee
Eucalyptus oleosa

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium to tall tree. It grows 5-12 m high. It spreads 4-8 m wide. The bark is rough lower down and smooth higher up. It has many stems. The bark is usually grey and smooth but can be rough on the trunk. The leaves are narrow and glossy. They are blue-green. The flowers are pale yellow-green. The fruit are smooth and round with a narrow rim. The valves have needle like points.

There are at least 500 Eucalyptus species mostly originally in Australia.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate regions. It suits arid and semiarid locations. It needs well drained soil and can grow in full sun or light shade. It can stand light frosts. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 200-450 mm. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia (country/location of origin), Cyprus, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, USA

How it is used for food

Water drained from the roots is good for drinking.

Edible parts

Roots - water, lerp

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Glossy-leaved Mallee, Oily Mallee

Synonyms

See Lazarides reference;