AgroForestryTree Database
Eucalyptus urophylla
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(English) : Timor mountain gum, Timor white gum
(Indonesian) : ampupu, popo
(Portuguese) : palavao preto
(Vietnamese) : b[aj]ch d[af]n d[or]
Botanic description
Eucalyptus urophylla is an evergreen tree up to 45 m tall, or, in unfavourable conditions, a shrub; bole straight, branchless for up to 30 m, up to 2 m in diameter; bark variable depending on moisture and altitude, usually persistent and subfibrous, smooth to shallow, close longitudinal fissures, red-brown to brown; sometimes rough, especially at the base of the trunk. Juvenile leaves subopposite, stalked, broadly lanceolate; adult leaves phyllodinous, subopposite to alternate, long stalked, broadly lanceolate, 10-15 x 5-8 cm, discolourous; lateral veins just visible. Inflorescence an axillary, simple umbelliform, condensed and reduced dichasium called a conflorescens; umbels solitary, with 5-8 flowers; peduncle somewhat flattened, 8-22 mm long. Seed small, 4-6, angular to more or less semi-circular, black. The genus Eucalyptus was described and named in 1788 by the French botanist l’Héritier. The flowers of the various Eucalyptus species are protected by an operculum, hence the generic name, which comes from the Greek words ‘eu’ (well), and ‘calyptos’ (covered). The specific epithet comes from the Greek uro- (with an elongated or tail-like appendage), and phylla (leaves).
Ecology and distribution
History of cultivationUntil 1977, E. urophylla was not treated as a species distinct from E. alba. Because E. alba has been widely cultivated throughout the world (also under the name E. decaisneana), there is some confusion about the true nature of several provenances. The occurrence of hybrids between E. alba and E. urophylla as well as between the latter and E. saligna or E. tereticornis heightens the confusion. The seed was 1st collected and introduced into Java by Dutch botanists in 1890. Plots of more recent introduction exist in East Java (1937), Bandung region (1952), and near Bogor (1960). The species was introduced in Brazil, as E. alba, in 1919. It was introduced in Bali Island in 1935 and into Australia in 1966. In Congo, introductions were made in 1957 and 1962. E. urophylla is native also to the islands of Timor, Alor and Wetar and all parts of Indonesia. It is planted in many tropical parts of the world.
Natural Habitat
E. urophylla frequently occurs as the dominant species in open, often secondary montane forests. It grows on mountain slopes and in valleys and is commonly found on basalt, schists and slates, but rarely on limestone.
Geographic distribution
Native : Indonesia
Exotic : Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, French Guiana, Gabon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam
Biophysical limitsAltitude: (350)500-3 000 m, Mean annual temperature: 8-29 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 1 000-1 500 mm Soil type: Develops best on deep, moist, well-drained, acidic or neutral soils derived from volcanic or metamorphic rock. Also commonly found on basalt, schist and slates, but rarely on limestone.
Reproductive Biology
Flowering usually starts within 2 years from planting. The bisexual flowers are open to many pollen vectors such as insects, birds or small mammals. Some wind pollination is also possible. There is a capacity for selfing if out-crossing fails. This is an evolutionary advantage in the survival of the populations.
Propagation and management
Propagation methodsArtificial propagation is generally by sowing untreated seeds in germination beds. Seedlings have epigeal germination. Rooted cuttings derived from stump sprouts are also used in raising E. urophylla. After coppicing, when the new sprouts are 60-80 cm long they are removed and divided into cuttings with 2 pairs of leaves. In Indonesia, tissue culture has proved successful on an experimental scale.Tree Management
Spacing varies with purpose of the plantation. For pulpwood, 3 x 2 m is commonly used, and for fuelwood or poles spacing may be closer. It is essential to keep the field free of weeds until the trees are 6 months old. Thinning is done every 2 years from the age of 3 years onwards. E. urophylla has good coppicing ability and can be expected to produce at least 3 coppice rotations after the initial seedling rotation.
Germplasm Management
On average there are 210 000-470 000 viable seeds/kg.
Functional uses
ProductsFuel: E. urophylla makes satisfactory fuelwood and charcoal. Fibre: E. urophylla is particularly suitable as a source of mid-density to low-density eucalypt fibre for pulp and paper production. Timber: E. urophylla is an important source of heavy timber. In Timor, the wood is used in heavy construction, bridging, flooring and framing. The round wood is used for building poles and fence posts. Tannin or dyestuff: The bark has a tannin content of over 10%, but it is not used commercially. Essential oil: The leaves yield a pale yellow oil. The major components of the oil are paecymene (76%), alpha-pinene (7%) and gamma terpenene (4%). The essential oil is a good source of paracymene, which possesses disinfectant properties and is utilized in soapmaking and in the perfumery industry.Services
Reclamation: E. urophylla is increasingly being used in reforestation programmes.
Pests and diseasesSeedlings of E. urophylla are susceptible to attack by termites and stem borers such as Zeuzera coffeae. In the Solomon Islands, die-back attributed to the coreid insect Amblypelta cocophaga has been observed in 3-4-month-old plantings. Damping-off of seedlings occurs in cases of high humidity. Root fungi such as Botryodiplodia spp., Fusarium spp. and Helminthosporium spp. are all a problem. A canker disease caused by Cryphnectria cubensis is found on E. urophylla in West Africa and South America.
Bibliography
Bhalla HKL. 1997. Indian eucalypts and their essential oils. Timber Development Association of Indian.FAO. 1979. Eucalypts for Planting FAO Forestry Series No. 11.
Faridah Hanum I, van der Maesen LJG (eds.). 1997. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 11. Auxillary Plants. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Soerianegara I, Lemmens RHMJ (eds.). 1993. Plant Resources of South-East Asia. No. 5(1): Timber trees: major commercial timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden.