Twin Peak Island Mallee  |  

Eucalyptus insularis, Family Myrtaceae, also known as Twin Peak Island Mallee, has two
distinct growth forms: in Cape Le Grand National Park (NP) it is a slender stemmed tree
growing no more than 2 m tall; and on North Twin Peak Island it takes the form of a tall
mallee up to 8 m high. It has smooth bark that is reddish-brown, pale grey, yellowish-green or
greenish-grey. The tall form has a fibrous, reddish-brown basal stocking. Branches of larger
plants are conspicuously wrinkled underneath the base. Branchlets are four-sided and often
reddish when young. Juvenile leaves are stalkless, elliptic and have toothed edges. The older,
dull-green leaves have stalks, and are narrow, up to 70 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, with a long,
curved point. The bud cap is slightly narrower and shorter than the base. Pendulous, barrel shaped fruits, 6Ð8 mm long and 6 mm wide, have a thin rim and 3Ð4 valves in a sunken,
shining, reddish-brown disc. Seeds are brown and pyramid-shaped or elongated. Leaves have
a sparse network of veins and numerous to scattered oil glands. This species has no bud scars
and generally more than 7 white flowers on 4Ð11 mm stalks, which curve downwards. The
flowering period is May to June and August (Brown et al., 1998).
Eucalyptus insularis differs from the related Eucalyptus doratoxylon as the latter has a dense
network of veins and appears to lack glands; it also has a bud scar and usually inflorescences
of 7 or fewer cream or yellowish-white flowers on stalks, 10Ð12 mm long (Brown et al.,
1998).