Coolibah
Eucalyptus microtheca Myrtle Family ( Myrtaceae ), Coolibah. Also Called: Blue Coolibah.
Evergreen tree 18 - 60 feet high, usually crooked or irregular. The most widely planted non-native evergreen tree in Arizona.
Height: Up to about 18 - 60 feet. About a 20 - 30 foot spread. Fast Growing.
Flowers: The flowers are on slender stalks ending in umbels of 3 – 7 white, short stalked fragrant flowers. Flowers are very small, the bud is 4 – 6 mm long. With many stamens, spreading, white, short, 3 – 4 mm long, anthers rounded witha small round gland. Pistil with inferior a 3 – 4-celled ovary and stout style.
Capsules short-stalked, hemiglobose or turbinate, very small, 3 – 4.5 mm long and wide.
Blooming Time: Mid July to November.
Stems/Trunks : An attractive rough trunk; creamy, flaky with a few rough patches of loose brown bark.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, narrowly lanceolate, 6–20 cm long, 1–3 cm wide, acuminate apically, basally acute, not entire, glabrous, slightly thick, leathery, dull green, slightly paler underneath.
Seeds: Propagation is from dark brown seed which germinates readily. woody and massive capsules (4 to 5 cm diameter), bell-shaped, and strongly ridged, and the depressed center of the fruit is glossy red.
The dried stamens often persist on the maturing fruits, and fruits eventually open at the top by way of four splits.
Elevation: 0 - 2,200 Feet.
Habitat: Native of Australa. Since it commonly grows on limestone soils it is well adapted to alkaline conditions. It responds well to pruning.
Miscellaneous: Photos Taken At Glendale, September 11, 2006.
