Eucalyptus cambageana

Eucalyptus cambageana is a tree that typically grows to a height of {{cvt|25|m}} high and forms a lignotuber. The bark on the lowest {{cvt|2-3|m}} of the trunk is hard, rough, dark grey to black then abruptly changes above to smooth, white to grey bark. The leaves on young plants and coppice regrowth are egg-shaped, {{convert|70-145|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|30-63|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide and dull bluish grey. Adult leaves are lance-shaped, sometimes curved, the same glossy green on both sides, {{convert|75-165|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|12-30|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide on a petiole {{convert|10-27|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long. The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven in leaf axils on a peduncle {{convert|5-12|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, the individual flowers on a pedicel usually {{convert|3-6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long. Mature buds are oval, {{convert|4-5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2-4|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide with a conical to rounded operculum. Flowering occurs between July and September and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped to funnel-shaped capsule {{convert|3-6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5-6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide with the valves enclosed below the rim.

Eucalyptus cambageana was first formally described in 1913 by Joseph Maiden described from a specimen collected in 1912 from Mirtna Station near Charters Towers.{{cite web|title=Eucalyptus cambageana|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/455511 |publisher=APNI|access-date=6 April 2019}} The specific epithet (cambageana) honours surveyor and botanist Richard Hind Cambage.{{cite encyclopedia |author1=Elliot, Rodger W. |author2=Jones, David L. | year = 1986 | title = Eu-Go |editor1=Eliot, Rodger W. |editor2=Jones, David L. | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation | volume = 4 | page = 48 | publisher = Lothian Publishing | isbn = 0-85091-213-X}}{{cite journal |last1=Maiden |first1=Joseph |title=Notes on Eucalyptus (with descriptions of new species) No. 1 |journal=Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales |date=1913 |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=91–94 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41673595#page/121/mode/1up |access-date=5 April 2019}}

Dawson River blackbutt is found from near Charleville, Charters Towers and Jericho to the coast of Queensland. It grows in scrubland or open woodland with brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), and wilga (Geijera parviflora). These open woodland communities where it is co-dominant with brigalow are found on clay, alluvial, or sedimentary soils.{{cite web|url=http://www.griffith.edu.au/ins/collections/webb/html/7-26.html|title=Flora – Queensland – Central West|work=Len Webb Ecological Images Collection|publisher=Griffith University|access-date=11 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414112226/http://www.griffith.edu.au/ins/collections/webb/html/7-26.html|archive-date=14 April 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/details.php?reid=10.4.3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115020600/http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/details.php?reid=10.4.3|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Regional ecosystem details for 10.4.3|last=Department of Environment and Heritage Protection|date=2012|work=Wildlife and Ecosystems|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=12 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/details.php?reid=11.9.1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115031630/http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/details.php?reid=11.9.1|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Regional ecosystem details for 11.9.1|last=Department of Environment and Heritage Protection|date=2012|work=Wildlife and Ecosystems|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=12 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/details.php?reid=10.3.3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115015642/http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/details.php?reid=10.3.3|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Regional ecosystem details for 10.3.3|last=Department of Environment and Heritage Protection|date=2012|work=Wildlife and Ecosystems|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=12 December 2012}}

The presence of E. cambageana is an indicator of sodic soil, which has implications for agriculture in the region.{{cite web|url=http://regional.org.au/au/asa/2001/3/b/irvine.htm|title=Salinity and Sodicity, Implications for Farmers in Central Queensland|author1=Irvine, S.A. |author2=Doughton, J.A. |date=2001|work=Australian Society of Agronomy|publisher=The Regional Institute Ltd|access-date=12 December 2012}}

This eucalypt is classed as "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.{{cite web |title= Dawson gum – Eucalyptus cambageana |date=20 October 2014 |url=https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/components/species/?eucalyptus-cambageana|publisher=The State of Queensland Department of Environment and Science |access-date=6 April 2019}}

The heavy reddish-brown timber of this eucalypt is used for fence posts in the local area. It grows into too large a tree for gardens in general, but its contrasting bark give it horticultural potential for parks and acreage.

• List of Eucalyptus species

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5405554}}

cambageana

Category:Flora of Queensland

Category:Drought-tolerant trees

Category:Myrtales of Australia

Category:Plants described in 1914

Category:Taxa named by Joseph Maiden