Eucalyptus kochii subspecies kochii WA Oil mallee

Eucalyptus kochii subspecies kochii is one of five sub-species of Eucalyptus kochii. It is a mallee trees growing between 3-7 m tall and forms a lignotuber (click here to find out what a lignotuber is and the differences between a mallee and mallet).

It is native to southern WA with widespread distribution, from around Narembeen to as far north as near Kalbarri. It extends eastwards into the Sandstone–Menzies–Yellowdine area – see distribution map. It grows as an open woodland and shrubland on sandy soils.

Its bark is fibrous on lower third to half of trunk- light grey to brown in colour – and smooth above this, grey over salmon-pink in colour.

It flowers in January producing white flowers – see photo.

Its leaves have large numbers of oil glands, and the oil that is extracted is in high demand as it is produces oil with up to 90% cineole (Eucalyptus oil), compared to around 65% for Tasmanian blue gum (E. globulus).

The name kochii drives from Max Koch (1854–1925) who found the plant on the rabbit proof fence (date unknown) Max was a farmer and sawmiller.

The tree was planted in the Park in 2000.

Sources

Source EUCLID - Eucalypts of Australia Forth Edition (2020) https://apps.lucidcentral.org/euclid/text/entities/eucalyptus_kochii_subsp._kochii.htm

Western Australian Herbarium Florabase - https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/15671

Atlas of Living Australia https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2920385#gallery

Eucalyptus kochii subspecies kochii in the Park