Australian mountain ash
Quick Summary
The term "mountain ash" can be misleading, as it refers to two distinct types of trees unrelated to true ashes.
The genus Sorbus, commonly known as mountain ash, includes shrubs and trees native to the Northern Hemisphere. These are cultivated for their ornamental flowers and brightly colored fruits, which are important food sources for birds. Notable species include the American mountain ash (Sorbus americana) and the European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia).1
In contrast, the Australian mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) is a species of eucalyptus native to southeastern Australia. It is one of the tallest flowering plant species, capable of reaching heights over 114 meters (375 feet). Eucalyptus trees are economically significant for their wood, pulp, and paper production, and their leaves yield eucalyptus oil, used for medicinal purposes.123
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mountain ashUnrelated speciesThe swamp gum, or Australian mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans, family Myrtaceae), is an unrelated species native to southeastern Australia. The tree can reach heights over 114 metres (375 feet) and is the tallest angiosperm (flowering plant) species.
Read MoreThe swamp gum, or Australian mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans, family Myrtaceae), is an unrelated species native to southeastern Australia. The tree can reach heights over 114 metres (375 feet) and is the tallest angiosperm (flowering plant) species.
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angiospermGeneral features…of the tallest angiosperms, Australia’s mountain ash tree (Eucalyptus regnans; Myrtaceae) at about 100 meters (330 feet). Between these two extremes lie angiosperms of almost every size and shape. Examples of this variability include the succulent cacti (Cactaceae), the fragile orchids (Orchidaceae), the baobabs (Adansonia species; Malvaceae), vines, rosette
Read More…of the tallest angiosperms, Australia’s mountain ash tree (Eucalyptus regnans; Myrtaceae) at about 100 meters (330 feet). Between these two extremes lie angiosperms of almost every size and shape. Examples of this variability include the succulent cacti (Cactaceae), the fragile orchids (Orchidaceae), the baobabs (Adansonia species; Malvaceae), vines, rosette
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treeTrees of special interest…next tallest trees are the Australian mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans), specimens of which in Victoria, Australia, exceed 90 meters (300 feet), the greatest heights known for nonconiferous trees. A close relative of the redwood, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) develops the greatest total bulk of wood, but not the biggest…
Read More…next tallest trees are the Australian mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans), specimens of which in Victoria, Australia, exceed 90 meters (300 feet), the greatest heights known for nonconiferous trees. A close relative of the redwood, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) develops the greatest total bulk of wood, but not the biggest…
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