Population variation and conservation status of a rare Tasmanian endemic, Eucalyptus cordata.

Abstract

Eucalyptus cordata (heart-leaved silvergum) is a regional endemic confinedto the southeastof Tasmania. It is placed in the informal Subseries Cordatinae (SubgenusSymphyomyrtus ; section Viminales) by Pryor and Johnson (1971). It is broadlygroupedwith other endemicssuch as E. gunnii, E. morrisbyiand E. urnigera as well as with mainlandspeciessuch as E. pulverulenta and E. cinerea (pryor and Johnson 1971). Affinities to E. urnigera (Mueller1880;Brett 1938)and E. pulverulenta (Mueller1880; Baker 1902; Maiden 1913;Hall and Brooker 1972)have been specifically noted. E. cordata is plantedwidelyas an ornamental. It is usually homoblastic and the persistent,highlyglaucous,cordatejuvenile foliage is a distinctivefeature of the species (Hall and Brooker 1972).