What is the Difference Between Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Saligna

The main difference between Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna is that Eucalyptus grandis contains longer seeds, whereas Eucalyptus saligna has smaller seeds. 

Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna are two species of the genus Eucalyptus. They are angiosperms that vary in size from trees to shrubs. 

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Eucalyptus Grandis
– Definition, Facts, Importance
2. What is Eucalyptus Saligna
– Definition, Facts, Importance
3. Similarities Between Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Saligna
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Saligna
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Eucalyptus Grandis, Eucalyptus Saligna

Difference Between Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Saligna - Comparison Summary

What is Eucalyptus Grandis

Eucalyptus grandis, commonly known as flooded gum or rose gum, is a tall tree. The bark of Eucalyptus grandis is smooth but rough at the base. It is fibrous, and the color of the bark is grey to grey-brown. The height of the tree reaches around 50 meters at maturity. The Eucalyptus grandis occurs in coastal and subcoastal areas in New South Wales northwards. It also grows in flat lands and lower slopes of west Daintree in Queensland. Also, it is the common tree of margins of the rainy and wet forests.

Compare Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Saligna

Figure 1: Eucalyptus Grandis

Furthermore, the branchlets of Eucalyptus grandis are either glaucous or non-glaucous. Also, it contains petiolate and juvenile leaves. The color of the leaves of Eucalyptus grandis is dark green. They are 4-14 cm long and 2-8.5 cm wide. Meanwhile, the petiole of the leaf is 1-2.5 cm long. The base of the leaf tapers to the petiole. The petiole is glossy and dark green. Additionally, the inflorescence of the Eucalyptus grandis is axillary unbranched peduncles that are 1- 1.8 cm long. 7, 9, or 11 buds occur per umbel. White is the color of the flower. Further, the fruit of the Eucalyptus grandis is sessile or pedicellate. It is 0.4 to 1 cm long. Also, it is 0.5 to 0.8 cm wide. 4 or 5 valves occur per fruit. However, the seed of the Eucalyptus grandis is brown or yellow.  

What is Eucalyptus Saligna

Eucalyptus saligna, commonly known as Sydney blue gum or blue gum, is a medium-sized tall tree. It is endemic to eastern Australia. It also contains a smooth bark that is flaky near the base. The rough bark occurs up to 4 meters from the base of the trunk. The bark’s upper parts are thin and shreds off in long strips. It can grow up to 30-65 m tall. Also, the juvenile leaves of the Eucalyptus saligna occur in an opposite and alternate arrangement. The length of the leaves is about 12 cm, while the width of the leaves is about 5 cm. The adult leaves are glossy green in color. The shape of the leaves is lanceolate to falcate.

Eucalyptus Grandis vs Eucalyptus Saligna

Figure 2: Eucalyptus Saligna

Moreover, the flowers of the Eucalyptus saligna occur in an axillary inflorescence and contain about 7 to 11 flowers. Also, the color of the flowers is white. Flowers appear from January to April. Additionally, the fruit of the Eucalyptus saligna is woody and obconical. The fruit ripens in months following the flowering. Importantly, the seeds of the Eucalyptus saligna germinate and grow easily.

Similarities Between Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus saligna

  • Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna are two species of Eucalyptus.
  • These trees have a smooth, grey-colored bark that is flaky at the base. 

Difference Between Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Saligna

Definition

Eucalyptus grandis refers to a tall tree with smooth bark, rough at the base, fibrous or flaky, grey to grey-brown, while Eucalyptus saligna refers to a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia.

Other Names

Other names of Eucalyptus grandis are flooded gum or rose gum, while the other names of Eucalyptus saligna are Sydney blue gum or blue gum.

Distribution

The Eucalyptus grandis occurs in coastal and subcoastal areas in New South Wales northwards, while Eucalyptus saligna occurs along the coast and adjacent ranges from Batemans Bay, New South Wales, up to south-eastern Queensland.  

Height

The Eucalyptus grandis is 50 m tall, while the Eucalyptus saligna grows 30-65 m tall. 

Seed

Eucalyptus grandis has larger seeds, while Eucalyptus saligna has smaller seeds. 

Valves

Eucalyptus grandis contains incurved valves, while Eucalyptus saligna contains upright valves. 

Fruit and Branchlets

Eucalyptus grandis contains glaucous fruit and branchlets, while Eucalyptus saligna contains non-glaucous fruit and branchlets. 

Seedlings

Eucalyptus grandis does not contain lignotubers while Eucalyptus saligna contains lignotubers. 

Conclusion

In brief, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna are two species of Eucalyptus. Flooded gum or rose gum are the other names of Eucalyptus grandis, and they contain larger seeds, incurved valves, glaucous fruit, and branchlets. It does not contain lignotubers. In comparison, other names of Eucalyptus saligna are Sydney blue gum or blue gum. It has small seeds, upright valves, and non-glaucous fruit and branchlets. Also, it contains lignotubers. Therefore, the main difference between Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna is the size of the seed.

References:
  1. Eucalyptus grandis. (n.d.). EUCLID 
  2. Eucalyptus saligna. Growing Native Plants. (n.d.). 
Image Courtesy:
  1. Eucalyptus saligna” By Aibdescalzo – Own work (CC-BY SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
  2. Eucalyptus grandis bark decorticating 7th Brigade Park Chermside L1100307” By John Robert McPherson – Own Work (CC-BY SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lakna

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things. She has a keen interest in writing articles regarding science.

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