About Eucalyptus megacarpa F.Muell.
Eucalyptus megacarpa (common name Bullich) is most commonly a tree typically growing to a height of 20 to 35 metres (66 to 115 ft), though it can also grow as a robust mallee reaching up to 5 m (16 ft), and it forms a lignotuber. Its bark is fully smooth, with a mottled grey, reddish-grey, or white colouration. Young plants and coppice regrowth have sessile, broadly lance-shaped leaves that measure 100–130 mm (3.9–5.1 in) long and 35–50 mm (1.4–2.0 in) wide. Adult leaves are the same shade of dull to slightly glossy green on both surfaces, are lance-shaped to curved, 70–140 mm (2.8–5.5 in) long and 15–33 mm (0.59–1.30 in) wide, borne on a petiole 13–35 mm (0.51–1.38 in) long. Flower buds are arranged in groups of three in leaf axils on a flat, unbranched peduncle 12–20 mm (0.47–0.79 in) long, with individual buds attached to pedicels up to 4 mm (0.16 in) long. Mature buds are oval or pear-shaped, 15–22 mm (0.59–0.87 in) long and 12–17 mm (0.47–0.67 in) wide, with a beaked operculum. Flowering takes place between April and November, and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody cup-shaped, bell-shaped, or hemispherical capsule 12–19 mm (0.47–0.75 in) long and 18–30 mm (0.71–1.18 in) wide. This species grows in forest near swamps and along stream banks, while the smaller mallee form grows on hillsides. It occurs from near Perth to Cape Leeuwin, Albany, and the Stirling Range, in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren bioregions of southwestern Australia, growing in sand and sandy loam soils overlying limestone. In horticulture, Eucalyptus megacarpa is sold commercially as both seed and tube stock. It grows well in full sun, tolerates extended dry periods and light frost, and can grow in a variety of soil types. It has an average growth rate, and is grown as a shade tree in bush-style gardens, where it attracts birds.
