White Mallee, Water mallee
Eucalyptus dumosa
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
A medium sized tree. It grows 2.5-12 m high. It spreads 3-10 m wide. The bark is mostly smooth. The leaves are grey-green. The flowers are cream.
There are at least 500 Eucalyptus species mostly originally in Australia. Chemical composition: Water = 14%. A threadlike substance = 33%. Sugar = 53%. The threads swell slightly when the sugar is dissolved in water. Thus freed from sugar, the threads consist of Lerp-amylum C6H10O5-----44.4C and 6.24H. This, on digestion with dilute sulphuric acid, etc. [sic], forms a crystallisable carbohydrate which agrees in its properties with dextrin.
Where it is found
It grows in warm temperate regions. It can grow in the subtropics. It suits semiarid locations. It needs well drained soils. It can grow in full sun or light shade and can stand light frosts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
A sweet exudate from the leaves called manna or lerp due to an insect is eaten. The bark and root is powdered and eaten.
Edible parts
Root water, leaf exudate, bark, manna, lerp
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bunurduk, Congoo Mallee, Weir Mallee