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THE SNOW GUM
(Eucalyptus pauciflora) |
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THE SNOW GUM
(Eucalyptus pauciflora) |
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Snow Gum is usually found above 1500 metres where snow covers the ground
for 1 to 4 months of the year but is by no means restricted to these areas
as E. pauciflora occurs at lower altitudes such as on the Mornington Penninsula.Easily
recognised by its smooth white bark with varying shades of grey, olive green
and red, and its usually stunted form, the Snow Gum is common in the snow
covered regions of Victoria and NSW.Adverse weather conditions pose little
threat to the Snow Gum as it has adapted beautifully to its environment.
The thick leathery leaves and bark protect the tree from the cold. Cells
within the leaves are protected from freezing and rupturing by the presence
of a high level of sugars and other cellular substances which act as an
"anti-freeze". Strong winds and heavy snow falls can cause limbs to fall
from the trees and in spring regrowth occurs from dormant buds under the
bark just below the break causing multi-trunked trees to form.The growing
season of the Snow Gum is short due mainly to the low temperatures experienced
in alpine areas. In spring the occasional seedlings can be found emerging
from behind a fallen branch which offers protection from the elements and
browsing animals. Few survive but those that do, grow into one of the most
evocative of all alpine Australian plants.
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This page (http://www.vicnet.net.au/~yhabush/yetiSnowgum..html) was last updated on 4 May, 2003.
Yeti archive designed by Richard Miller & Stephen Smith 2003.
This site is located on Vicnet.
