Eucryphia lucida
Encyclopedia
Eucryphia lucida, commonly known as the Leatherwood is a small tree
or large shrub
found in forest in Tasmania
. An attractive plant utilised in both the horticulture
and apiculture industries, it was promoted by the Tasmanian Branch of the then SGAP
as an alternative to the Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus
) for Tasmania's floral emblem. It was described as E. billiarderi at one stage, this now being a synonym.
The species was first described in by Jacques Labillardière
.
and through the South West Wilderness. It grows as an understorey plant and prefers wetter climates of 1500–2500 mm annual rainfall.
Fossil leaves from Early Pleistocene sediments at Regatta Point
in Western Tasmania show similarities to E. lucida and suggest a close relationship.
that has been recognised by the international Slow Food
movement in its Ark of Taste
. For many years, the Tasmanian Beekeepers' Association has had to lobby the Tasmanian government to ensure continued access to this precious resource, and to protect it from logging.
Much of the leatherwood is difficult to access, growing deep within the forests of Tasmania's wild west coast. Beekeepers from the Tasmanian Honey Company camp in the forest during the leatherwood harvest, which occurs between January and March.
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
or large shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
found in forest in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. An attractive plant utilised in both the horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
and apiculture industries, it was promoted by the Tasmanian Branch of the then SGAP
Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
The Australian Native Plants Society is a federation of seven state-based member organizations for people interested in Australia's native flora, both in aspects of conservation and in cultivation....
as an alternative to the Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus globulus
The Tasmanian Blue Gum, Southern Blue Gum or Blue Gum, is an evergreen tree, one of the most widely cultivated trees native to Australia. They typically grow from 30 to 55 m tall. The tallest currently known specimen in Tasmania is 90.7 m tall...
) for Tasmania's floral emblem. It was described as E. billiarderi at one stage, this now being a synonym.
Description
Ranging from 2–10 metres (6–30 feet) in height, it can sometimes grow to 25 metres (80 feet) in favourable conditions. The small dark green glossy leaves are elliptical in shape and 2–4 cm (1-1.5 in) long. Appearing in spring and summer, the 2.5 – 4 cm diameter white flowers have four petals and resemble small single roses and have a strong fragrance, especially on warmer days. The flower parts are often covered with a sticky sap. Flowering is followed by leathery capsules which mature in autumn.The species was first described in by Jacques Labillardière
Jacques Labillardière
Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière was a French naturalist noted for his descriptions of the flora of Australia. Labillardière was a member of a voyage in search of the La Pérouse expedition...
.
Distribution and habitat
It is widespread and common in moister forests in Tasmania, occurring mainly across the western parts of the state, from the northwest in such places as the TarkineTarkine
The Tarkine is a large wilderness area in north-west Tasmania, Australia. The area has a high concentration of Aboriginal sites and has been described by the Australian Heritage Council as "one of the world's great archaeological regions"...
and through the South West Wilderness. It grows as an understorey plant and prefers wetter climates of 1500–2500 mm annual rainfall.
Fossil leaves from Early Pleistocene sediments at Regatta Point
Regatta Point, Tasmania
Regatta Point is the location of a port and rail terminus in West Coast Tasmania, Australia- Port :Regatta Point is often assumed into the name of the locality across the bay in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan, Tasmania...
in Western Tasmania show similarities to E. lucida and suggest a close relationship.
Cultivation
Leatherwood is easily propagated by seed or cutting and makes an attractive garden plant. A fast growing plant, it thrives in well-drained soil in a position with some shelter and extra moisture. It does require regular pruning to keep a neat shape. It is also utilized by Tasmanian beekeepers in the making of Leatherwood Honey, a noted monofloral honeyMonofloral honey
Monofloral honey is a type of honey which has a high value in the marketplace because it has a distinctive flavor or other attribute due to its being predominantly from the nectar of one plant species....
that has been recognised by the international Slow Food
Slow Food
Slow Food is an international movement founded by Carlo Petrini in 1986. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. It was the first established part of...
movement in its Ark of Taste
Ark of Taste
The Ark of Taste is an international catalogue of heritage foods in danger of extinction which is maintained by the global Slow Food movement. The Ark is designed to preserve at-risk foods that are sustainably produced, unique in taste, and part of a distinct ecoregion...
. For many years, the Tasmanian Beekeepers' Association has had to lobby the Tasmanian government to ensure continued access to this precious resource, and to protect it from logging.
Much of the leatherwood is difficult to access, growing deep within the forests of Tasmania's wild west coast. Beekeepers from the Tasmanian Honey Company camp in the forest during the leatherwood harvest, which occurs between January and March.
Cultivars
- Eucryphia "Pink Cloud" (ACRAAustralian Cultivar Registration AuthorityThe Australian Cultivar Registration Authority is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Australian plant genera, excluding those genera or groups for which other ICRAs have been appointed...
reference: ACC368) is a pink-flowered cultivar collected from plants growing near SmithtonSmithton, TasmaniaSmithton is a town in the far north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia. It lies on the Bass Highway, 85 km north-west of Burnie. At the 2006 census, Smithton had a population of 3,361. Smithton is the administrative centre of the Circular Head Council...
in North-West TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
in 1984 by Ken GillandersKen GillandersKen Gillanders OAM is an Australian botanist, horticulturist, nurseryman and plantman.Ken, a nurseryman for over 50 years , and his wife Lesley started Woodbank Nursery on a bush block in Tasmania. Woodbank Nursery specialized in rare, exotic, unusual and native plants. As their nursery and its...
. - E. "Leatherwood Cream" (ACRAAustralian Cultivar Registration AuthorityThe Australian Cultivar Registration Authority is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Australian plant genera, excluding those genera or groups for which other ICRAs have been appointed...
reference: ACC006) is another selection, this time with variegated cream-edged leaves. - E. "Ballerina" (ACRAAustralian Cultivar Registration AuthorityThe Australian Cultivar Registration Authority is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Australian plant genera, excluding those genera or groups for which other ICRAs have been appointed...
reference: ACC469) is a larger flowered form with pink flowers rimmed with red, collected from a plant in western Tasmania in 1986. - E. "Gilt Edge"
- E. "Gold Rim"
- E. "Dumpling" is a compact white-flowered form to 1 metre high developed in the UKUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Suttons of Devon.