The distribution of Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Victoria

© 1978 Michele Mary BarsonEucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis are closely related and widely distributed species which may at times occupy similar habitats, although they do not usually form mixed stands. Both species show considerable variation throughout their total geographic range (Pryor 1955, Karschon 1967, Larsen 1967, Pryor and Byrne 1969), and in Victoria several forms of each species occur. Ladiges and Ashton (1974) have distinguished forest and woodland forms of E. viminalis, the former generally occurring on more fertile soils of higher rainfall areas, the latter on drier sites. Forest forms of E. camaldulensis are generally found on floodplains, whilst woodland forms commonly occupy rolling open plains and the drier margins of floodplains. The boundaries of the two species are frequently contiguous, and within the ecotone each species usually occurs in discrete stands which form patterns that are often related to topography. This study aims to describe the distribution of E. viminalis and E. camaldulensis in Victoria, and in particular to examine the habitat conditions which may account for their distribution in the riparian environment