Ironbark

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For the suburb of Ironbark in Queensland, Australia, see Ironbark

Ironbark is a common name of a number of species in the genus Eucalyptus with dark deeply furrowed bark.^{[citation needed]}

Instead of being shed annually as in many of the other species of Eucalyptus, the dead bark accumulates on the trees forming the fissures. It becomes rough after drying out and becomes impregnated with kino, a dark red tree sap exuded by the tree.^{[citation needed]} The bark is fire and heat resistant and protects the living tissue within the trunk and branches from fire. In cases of extreme fire, where leaves and shoots are removed, the protective bark aids in protecting epicormic buds which allow the tree to reshoot.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Examples of Ironbark species

• Eucalyptus crebra F.Muell., Narrow-leaved Ironbark or Narrowleaf Red Ironbark.
• Eucalyptus fibrosa F. Muell., Red Ironbark.
• Eucalyptus melanophloia F.Muell., Silver-leafed Ironbark.
• Eucalyptus paniculata Sm., Grey Ironbark.
• Eucalyptus sideroxylon A.Cunningham ex Woolls, Red Ironbark or Mugga
• Eucalyptus staigeriana F. Muell. ex Bailey, Lemon Ironbark
• Eucalyptus tricarpa (L.A.S.Johnson) L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill, Red Ironbark

[edit] References

• Department of Primary Industries: Red Ironbark